I listened to some of the live stream
"Distraught" hardly began to describe Fry's state of mind. He sounded like a teenager at the end of her rope screaming at her parents. And you're right, I heard the negotiators trying to do everything in their power to talk him off the ledge.
I think the ignominious end of all this is for the best. There's been only one death instead of the bloodbath the occupiers promised. A lot of people are, perhaps, embarrassed, but at least they're alive to be embarrassed. 'Course, they're also alive to nurse their grievances, but that's a fight for another day.