If a policeman shoots a fleeing felon after warning that he cannot follow and he will shoot if he felon flees?

Question

Is that wrong, or duty?

Answer 1

This depends on the crime and the extent of danger the suspect poses. You can shoplift enough goods to be considered a felony, if running from the police you cannot be shot for it.

Answer 2

Its called a Tennesee Garner shooting.

Read all about it here in Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_v...

If he cannot articualte that the felon was violent and posed an on-going threat to the public, he cannot shoot.

Answer 3

He may shoot the felon, if he has reason to believe that that felon will continue his criminal actions and poses a threat to other people.

That's the simplistic version. There's more to it but yes, under certain circumstances, he may shoot.

Answer 4

Legally, a law enforcement officer cannot use deadly force unless he/she believes there is an imminent threat to himself/herself or any innocent bystanders.  Simply put, if a police officer orders someone to stop and that person takes off, all the police officer can do legally is chase them.  There is no "imminent threat" if a felon is running away.  Now, if the felon is armed and runs toward an innocent bystander, the police officer could make a judgment call and shoot based on imminent threat to the innocent bystander.  However, that would probably be subject to a review board.  BOTTOM LINE:  If a felon runs and is not posing a threat to life or limb of someone else, a police officer cannot legally shoot the felon.

Answer 5

You can only shoot someone in self defense, a cop would never say stop or ill shoot

Answer 6

In Missouri, by state statue, yes you can shoot a fleeing felon. However, there is a note in the books that this law conflicts with the Tennessee vs. Garner ruling by the US Supreme Court. So, practically, no an officer can not shoot a fleeing felon unless the felon is a danger to the officer or society.

For example, someone stealing a diamond necklace and is running away with it is not a danger to society. But if they just shot a guard, still have the gun and is fleeing, they have killed someone once in their "crime spree", so a reasonable person would conclude that they do pose a danger to society.

  

Answer 7

KennethC has the best answer.  However, it is not only in Missouri, but nationwide.  A police officer may shoot a fleeing felon if that felon poses a danger or threat to the public if not immediately apprehended.  Also, the officer should shout a warning, but it is not a requirement to do so.

Answer 8

it is legal is cop gives warning and man does not comply and cop feels  in danger! he must use reasonable force, though!!  

Answer 9

First off, legally, an officer can shoot a fleeing felon, even in the back.  However, the officer needs to be able to articulate that the felon is going to be harming someone else (imminent danger) and therefore needs to be stopped.

An example would be: the felon has a firearm, has already used it, and just yelled I am going to kill that jerk, then runs off in the direction of the target...