Which scenario is included as deadly force per statute?

• A. The firing of a firearm at a vehicle in which the person to be arrested is riding.
• B. Verbal commands to stop.
• C. Nonlethal pepper spray.
• D. Holding the person with handcuffs.

Answer: (A)

Deadly force is force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily harm and is only justified under very narrow, statute-defined circumstances. Firing a firearm at a vehicle carrying a person who is about to be arrested creates a high risk of severe injury or death to that person and to bystanders, so it fits the definition of deadly force under statute. The other options involve nonlethal or restraint methods—verbal commands, pepper spray, or handcuffing—that do not meet the threshold for deadly force.