How do you feel about this controversial CPD photo?

On Sunday night, the Columbus Police Department posted a photo on Twitter of a police officer with his gun drawn, but concealed behind his back, approaching a man who is “known to be violent, who was suicidal & armed w/a knife.”

But does the photo tell a different story?

FACTSMATTER: 1/20/18@4:50pm CPD responded to 3417 N. High St. on a call of an individual, known to be violent, who was suicidal & armed w/a knife.
In this photo is an officer protecting the public & himself against a potentially violent encounter. No injuries. Individual got help pic.twitter.com/2aFNAjqWBH

— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) January 21, 2018

The situation did not escalate and there were no injuries but that has not stopped the photo from gaining tons of attention on social media.

1. The man’s hands are visible. Where is the knife?
2. A witness (the guy who originally posted this video) said that this dude was searched and a knife wasn’t found.
3. Why would you pull a gun on a person of they are suicidal considering they could commit suicide by cop?

— Black Aziz Anansi (@Freeyourmindkid) January 22, 2018

Good on you guys hope he gets the help he needs. Thanks officer for handling the situation with respect for this individual!

— Thee Invader Thómas Agustus Aurelius Plantonious (@TheInvaderTom) January 22, 2018

“respect for this individual” means approaching them with a gun drawn?

— 𝖌𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖞 (@hryhoriyy) January 22, 2018

Was the cop acting justly by having his gun drawn? Was there a different way to handle this? What story do you think this photo tells? 

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