re: #12 BlueSpotinAL

You can never justifiably shoot anybody who is just running away.

Legally, the police can shoot people that have committed a violent felony, in most states, with a great degree of latitude.

If there was any struggle between Brown and Wilson, that will be the defense (assuming it gets to trial), that Brown assaulted Wilson and therefore it was a legal shoot.

moga.mo.gov

3. A law enforcement officer in effecting an arrest or in preventing an escape from custody is justified in using deadly force only

(1) When such is authorized under other sections of this chapter; or

(2) When he reasonably believes that such use of deadly force is immediately necessary to effect the arrest and also reasonably believes that the person to be arrested

(a) Has committed or attempted to commit a felony; or

(b) Is attempting to escape by use of a deadly weapon; or

(c) May otherwise endanger life or inflict serious physical injury unless arrested without delay.

4. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue of justification under this section.