there are a multitude of legitimate reasons to talk to police without a lawyer. e.g. you are a victim, you are helping a victim, you are being friendly.
The real advice is not to try to talk your way out of a crime because it rarely works.
If they're asking for a description of a car after I watched a hit-and-run, I'm probably not a suspect
That doesn't mean never call/talk to the police. That is a crazy viewpoint driven by hyper focus on risk mitigation.
It is like refusing to leave your burning house because you might be hit my lightning.
The boy was for one, unarmed and they decide to start shooting (eleven times!!) at him? I cannot imagine what those people were thinking.
Does it negate the utility you can get from talking to the police?
like I said above:
1) Do you think that is good basis for a universal rule?
2) Does it negate the utility you can get from talking to the police?
Anyways, it is impossible they thought they werent a suspect and helping a victim after 9 hours when he was signing a confession.
Here's a different example:
Police have a policy of shooting aggressive dogs, under basically any circumstances. So if you have a pet that is slightly protective of their territory, then any situation that brings the cops within shooting range of you pet can get your pet killed.