Seattle Cop Shootings

[LaLaLaLirpa]

Sunday when I read about the man walking into a coffee shop in Seattle and killing four cops, I wondered what exactly a person standing by could do about it. I know technically under the Castle Doctrine (at least in Alabama) if you feel you or anyone around you is in imminent danger of violence, you have a right to use deadly force against the attacker. So if, for example, I'm standing in line at Starbuck's and a guy walks in and starts shooting cops, could I legally stop him by firing at him? I'm not saying to turn into some sort of vigilante, but if a guy comes in a public place and targets police, odds are he'll wipe everybody out.

[danninator]

In the past I would tell you if their are four uniformed armed cops there you as a citizen should get down or get away. Drawing a concealed weapon may confuse the officers into thinking their was an additional threat. But if the situation deteriorated like it did in Washington and you had a chance to safely render aid or stop the violence without harming additional innocent people then I think you could without legal recourse.

[phantasm]

In the past I would tell you if their are four uniformed armed cops there you as a citizen should get down or get away. Drawing a concealed weapon may confuse the officers into thinking their was an additional threat. But if the situation deteriorated like it did in Washington and you had a chance to safely render aid or stop the violence without harming additional innocent people then I think you could without legal recourse.

What he said, BUT that being said, if you're justified, then you won't be in any criminal trouble. Once the threat is eliminated, eliminate your own threat (ie reholster your weapon, and wait for more uniforms).

[DeltaV]

I know technically under the Castle Doctrine (at least in Alabama) if you feel you or anyone around you is in imminent danger of violence, you have a right to use deadly force against the attacker.

I think you may be unclear as to exactly what constitutes the castle doctrine. The premise behind the castle doctrine has to do with your home being your castle. If someone unlawfully enters your home, you can use deadly force against them if you believe you are in danger of violence. That is because it's YOUR property. Florida includes your vehicle as part of the castle doctrine, but other states limit it only to your home and there is a duty to retreat clause everywhere else.

It's a different story in public. If you're walking down the street and some guy takes a swing at you, you're in imminent danger of violence. That doesn't mean that you can pull out a gun and shoot them for taking a swing at you. In order to use deadly force outside of your home, your life or the life of someone else has to be in imminent danger. Life being in danger is a lot different than simply being in danger of violence.

All states allow you to use deadly force if your life or the life of someone else is in imminent danger, which would have been the case in this scenario. Just keep in mind that danninator brings up a very good point about it not usually being a good idea to pull out a firearm when cops are around, as they very well might think you're a bad guy. Plainclothes cops have even been mistakenly shot and killed by uniformed cops for doing that.

If you have questions about the laws surrounding self defense, it's best to speak with an attorney in your area.

[scott715us]

I think you may be unclear as to exactly what constitutes the castle doctrine. The premise behind the castle doctrine has to do with your home being your castle. If someone unlawfully enters your home, you can use deadly force against them if you believe you are in danger of violence. That is because it's YOUR property. Florida includes your vehicle as part of the castle doctrine, but other states limit it only to your home and there is a duty to retreat clause everywhere else.

It's a different story in public. If you're walking down the street and some guy takes a swing at you, you're in imminent danger of violence. That doesn't mean that you can pull out a gun and shoot them for taking a swing at you. In order to use deadly force outside of your home, your life or the life of someone else has to be in imminent danger. Life being in danger is a lot different than simply being in danger of violence.

All states allow you to use deadly force if your life or the life of someone else is in imminent danger, which would have been the case in this scenario. Just keep in mind that danninator brings up a very good point about it not usually being a good idea to pull out a firearm when cops are around, as they very well might think you're a bad guy. Plainclothes cops have even been mistakenly shot and killed by uniformed cops for doing that.

If you have questions about the laws surrounding self defense, it's best to speak with an attorney in your area.

Well put. Castle Doctrine refers to use of deadly force in one's home, though it has extended to business and even one's vehicle in TN.

[LaLaLaLirpa]

I appreciate the replies; this was more just being curious than something I'd actually participate in. I most definitely would never consider pulling a firearm if there are officers around and able to handle the situation. I obviously trust you guys more with my life than I do myself. And I don't think I made it clear about someone's life being in danger, not just a violent encounter. Sorry about that. Again, thanks for the answers, and, really, for everything you guys do.