[coloradan]

If youth were a cop, and the fleeing suspects were killed, it would be ruled a "good shoot." I would like to see that standard applied either to everyone, civilians and police, or to no one, neither civilians nor police. If it's right to shoot a fleeing violent felon when you're a police officer, it should be right to shoot one when you're a civilian. Remember that the police do not have a duty to protect, and, duty or not, are not actually protecting when a violent felon is getting away.

[robertpaulsen]

"when a violent felon, who is armed and has just shot someone is getting away", you mean.

Now if the police had an opportunity to stop this fleeing violent armed felon and didn't, and that same felon assaulted me soon afterward, I'd be a rich man thank you City of Porterville.

[KCmark]

If youth were a cop, and the fleeing suspects were killed, it would be ruled a "good shoot." I would like to see that standard applied either to everyone, civilians and police, or to no one, neither civilians nor police.

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That is one of the most common sense statement about shots fired I have ever seen. Brilliant. Thank you.

[CPOSharky]

If it's right to shoot a fleeing violent felon when you're a police officer, it should be right to shoot one when you're a civilian.

Depends on the state in which you reside. Some states, like Texas, you can chase the goblin down and shoot them.

Other states, like Virginia, you can't shoot if the goblin has turned to leave. Doesn't matter if he just killed your dog, raped your wife, and has you gun collection. If he is leaving the "danger is over" and you can do nothing.

And in some areas you can't even have a gun.

[Mulder]

Remember that the police do not have a duty to protect, and, duty or not, are not actually protecting when a violent felon is getting away.

The Supreme Court has ruled as such.

The only thing police should be able to do that "ordinary citizens" can't is to:

1) Serve warrants
2) Arrest people for misdemeanors
3) Briefly detain people under the "reasonable suspicion" they have broken a law.

Beyond that, there should really be no difference.

[FreePaul]

If youth were a cop, and the fleeing suspects were killed, it would be ruled a "good shoot."

If youth were a cop, and the fleeing suspects were a child in an adjacent house was killed, it would be ruled a "good shoot."