When is deadly force justified?

The justification for using deadly force is grounded in the principle of self-defense or defense of others, which extends to situations where there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. Deadly force is only permissible when the threat faced is proportionate to the response required. This means that if an individual is confronted with a situation that could lead to their own death or someone else's serious injury, they have the right to defend themselves using deadly force to prevent that outcome.

Situations involving theft or severe weather do not meet the legal thresholds for justifying deadly force, as these circumstances do not pose an immediate threat to life or cause significant bodily harm. Facing an unarmed individual further diminishes the justification for deadly force, since an unarmed person does not pose an imminent threat of severe injury or death compared to someone who is armed or exhibiting threatening behavior. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the critical circumstances under which the use of such extreme measures is legally and ethically acknowledged.