Ok, see if you know the punch line to this one... four perps run into a store, handcuff the employees, and pistol-whip the one who resists.

This being America, the punch line goes the way it should.

To me, the fact they were handcuffing everyone is very significant, and dangerous. In my opinion, it meant the perps were going to make sure nobody would be around to identify them when they were done. Any violent death is tragic; that said, some are definitely more tragic than others.