I think many media commenters not only do not understand the facts, they also do not understand the law - specifically self-defense law, what it means to create provocation, what it means to retreat, when and how an attack is defined and when it breaks off and when lethal force is legal for self-defense.

The kid showed really remarkable restraint on the second attack as is shown clearly in the video.  He was retreating, he stumbled and became vulnerable, the shod foot of the attacker becomes a lethal weapon when he is on the ground, being struck in the back or the head by the skateboard is a lethal weapon justifying self-defense, the pistol being pointed at him is lethal force.

He yells ‘get back’ in a command voice and does not fire on the individual in the black sweats following him who holds his arms up and backs away (retreats).  


It was a sad day when this happened and there were no winners, only losers.  Dead and injured people and a young man who has to live with the consequences of his earlier decisions to head out into a protest earlier that night.  Many older police officers and soldiers have struggled mightily after-the-fact with similar situations.  Prayers for grace and healing and wisdom gained for all.