Im not sure that's actually a gun on the ground, but I noticed it in the original video clips too, and wondered what it was. If it was a gun, I don't think we'd still be hearing official statements that don't mention any evidence that he was armed. It looks like it could be a gun, but could also be a phone or wallet. At any rate, given his history, which the officers were apparently aware of, it would have been crazy to just let him reach into, or get into his car, and wait to see if he aimed a gun at officers, before shooting him.