What three elements justify the use of deadly force?

The justification for the use of deadly force centers around three key elements: ability, opportunity, and immediate jeopardy.

Ability refers to the capacity of the aggressor to inflict serious harm or death. This considers whether the person posing a threat possesses a weapon or physical capability to cause such harm.

Opportunity involves the proximity and circumstances that give the aggressor the chance to carry out a violent act against another person. It assesses whether the threat is imminent based on the aggressor's position and actions.

Immediate jeopardy is the pressing nature of the threat that must be evident for deadly force to be warranted. This element stipulates that there should be an immediate risk of harm that cannot be mitigated without resorting to deadly force.

Together, these elements create a framework that law enforcement and individuals must evaluate before deciding to use deadly force, ensuring that such a grave decision is only made in clear and present danger situations. Other options, while they may involve important considerations or factors in various contexts, do not directly align with the critical elements necessary for justifying the use of deadly force in self-defense or law enforcement scenarios.