In what situation would the use of deadly force typically be justified?

The use of deadly force is typically justified in situations where there is an imminent threat to life or serious bodily harm. When encountering a fleeing felon, if that individual poses an immediate danger to others or has committed a violent crime, the use of deadly force may be considered necessary to prevent harm.

In many jurisdictions, law enforcement officers are authorized to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect if there is a reasonable belief that the suspect poses a significant threat to others. This perspective takes into account not just the actions of the suspect but also the potential consequences of allowing them to escape, especially if they have displayed violent behavior.

Other situations, such as defending personal property or responding to an unarmed assailant, usually do not meet the legal thresholds for using deadly force, which is often restricted to scenarios involving a threat to life. Furthermore, during a robbery in progress, unless there is clear evidence that the robber is armed and poses an immediate lethal threat, the use of deadly force is generally not justified. This context helps clarify why the second option is considered the correct scenario for the justification of deadly force.