Consider a hypothetical scenario. A police officer, a seven-year veteran of the force, is responding to a call about a domestic disturbance. A woman has contacted 911 because her ex-boyfriend is at her house and is not supposed to be there. He has allegedly stolen her keys and wants to take her vehicle. He is wanted for sexual assault and domestic abuse. There is a warrant for his arrest. The officer pull ups in his police cruiser and gets out to confront the suspect. Though he doesn’t notice it initially, now he can see something in the suspect’s left hand, a knife. The officer tries to deescalate the situation with words. Next he tries to take control of the situation physically, but the suspect fights back, putting an officer in a headlock. A taser is deployed to no effect. Another taser, again no effect.
Then the suspect starts moving towards the vehicle. Is he going to grab a gun? Is he going to steal the car and drive away? Is he going to take it and run someone over? There are kids inside. Will they become hostages? Will they get injured in a car chase? Will he kill them? These possibilities all race through the officer’s head in the span of five seconds, maybe less. There is little time for deliberation. He yells for the suspect to stop. He yells again. Now the officer is pointing his gun right at the suspect, ordering him to comply. It’s no use. The suspect opens the door. The officer grabs him. The suspect makes a move to climb inside or reach for something. The officer is out of time. He shoots.
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