Not sure how we got on to this, but..
The guy who was shot carrying a chair leg, was carrying an object of the same size and sahpe as a sawn off shotgun. he was challenged by armed police and told to put it down. He didn't. I truly believe that the police are trained to tell the difference.
The other case quoted I belive involved a suspect firearms officer (previously suspended) and a very dodgy hierachy. Heads have rolled.