Art,
My problem with the situation is that if the police (in this situation and in so many others) had waited until Strickland was walking to his car, say in the morning on his way to work, or at lunch, or anywhere else
with no EBR possibly hidden, they could have
completely removed the need to worry about it.
Then a couple detectives and uniforms could have just walked up and arrested him and then made the search of an empty premises. The suspect,
if armed at all, could only possibly have a handgun, but would be outpositioned and outarmed and wouldn't have the cover and assets of his own ground.
No SWAT necessary.
My way, your list changes:
#1) Who cares if he had a long gun, he doesn't have it in his pants and street clothes at work or school. If he's wearing or carrying something that might conceal one, you hold off contact for a bit. You've got the house surveilled, no one's going in and out to mess with evidence, and you know exactly where he is.
#2) So now you have 4 to 1, 6 to 1, hell,
20 to 1 odds and he's got
no cover, concealment or firepower.
#3) A deadly weapon is a 24/7 concern, even doing traffic stops, but the guy is outnumbered in my plan and an EBR is impossible for him to have.
#4) Strickland would have been visible from 360 degrees, in broad daylight with his hands easily observed and no glass to restrict view or cause distorsion.
#5) The Deputy wouldn't have had to shoot anyone through a door, justified or not.
#6) No possibility of raiding the wrong house in the middle of the night and killing a pure innocent.
Well, now, just what has been given us as to information?
1. A robbery with assault was committed by three guys. From the article, at least one of the guys had a shotgun, which may or may not have been visible at the original scene of the robbery. Strickland had been "pictured" while posing with an EBR.
2. Later in the article is is said that Stricland had been involved in a series of assaults.
3. The cops have a warrant for a person who was alleged to have committed robbery and assault. Possibly, a deadly weapon was of concern, based on Strickland's own braggadocio with the EBR.
4. Strickland was visible through small glass windows in the door.
5. The deputy shot Strickland.