QJS -- What made you think the victim approached Birk? The victim didn't approach the officer, former officer Birk initiated contact after he saw the victim cross the street. Birk was never threatened; no one was threatened.

There's a reason "SPD's own Firearms Review Commission deemed the shooting "unjustified"". The knife as well as being closed when found at the scene, was of legal length in Seattle. The only thing the hearing impaired victim did wrong was not responding to Birk's verbal commands.