More than likely did not want to throw it inside the vehicle for fear of hurting the guy. They’re not considered lethal, but they’ll fuck you up pretty good.
The reporting on this was just plain awful. I live maybe half a mile from the scene, I heard the flashbang go off and I knew WTF it was. “A warning shot” and “sniper fire” comments from the reporters were absolutely hilarious. I’m pretty sure even my girlfriend knew it wasn’t gunfire.
Sensationalism in the reporting throughout the incident was enough to make me sick. Oh well, good job to the blue team.