A Time to Kill

The event in question happens. You sense the possibility of serious injury, maybe even death. Are you committing a crime? 0. [[Yes->Committing a Crime]] 0. [[No->Focus of Violence]]

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Last time anybody checked, committing a crime makes you the bad guy. In this situation, you're on the wrong side of the law already, and lethal force is not justified.

"No, I'm not committing a crime. I'm a law abiding citizen," you think to yourself. And you fully intend to keep it that way. Are you the focus of violence? 0. [[Yes->Can you Change the Situation]] 0. [[No->Articulate Violence]]

Because of the violence being waged against you, you have a reasonable fear of bodily harm or death. You have a right to protect yourself. Lethal force is justified.

Fortunately you're not the focus of the violence, but as a conscientious citizen and concerned bystander, you know you may have a moral obligation to get involved. Whether or not you can articulate your perception of the violence is key, however, (even if you may be wrong). "Can I do that?" you ask yourself. 0. [[Yes->Understands Situation]] 0. [[No->Does Not Understand Situation]]

"Yes, I know what's happening here," you answer yourself confidently. Since you're not the focus of violence, you briefly consider whether or not you can help calm the situation or even the morality of leaving without intervening. 0. [[You think of a way to de-escalate the situation->De-escalate]] 0. [[You find a means of escape and take it->Escape]] 0. [[There's no time!->Emergency]]

You're not able to articulate what the problem is or identify the real victim with certainty. Because you aren't sure about the situation, and can't clearly identify the threat, lethal force is not justified.

You're able to de-escalate the situation with some calming words. Because the threat of violence has diminished, lethal force may not be justified.

Seeing an escape route, you take it, leaving others to potentially deal with the situation. You haven't really been involved up to this point except as a witness, and leaving doesn't present you with a moral dilemma. Because of this, lethal force is not justified.

There's no time to talk. You have a reasonable expectation that others will suffer bodily harm or death. In this situation, staying and protecting them is the only right thing to do. Lethal force is justified.

It's clear the violence is aimed at you, and it's coming quickly. You look for a possible escape route. Can you find one? 0. [[Yes->Escape]] 0. [[No->No Escape]]

Looking around quickly, you don't see a physical escape route. You realize that you're going to be forced to deal with the situation. One way or another, you have to take action. Is there anything you could say to avert the violence? 0. [[Yes->De-escalate]] 0. [[No->Focus is Justified]]