CA11: Two on deadly force in shooting at cars: one reasonable, one a fact dispute

Officer shooting at a car driving toward him acted reasonably. “Officer Brown reasonably perceived that his life was in danger when the Pontiac shifted into reverse. Redwine had led the police on a high-speed chase through commercial and residential areas and across state lines before he crashed. Only a few seconds had elapsed between when Officer Brown got out of his vehicle and when the Pontiac started backing up. A reasonable officer in hot pursuit could perceive that the chase was not yet over and that Redwine would continue to drive recklessly to evade arrest. See Pace, 283 F.3d at 1282. Officer Brown was on foot next to his vehicle, where he was exposed to danger. The Pontiac could have struck him as it drove past him.” Tillis v. Brown, 19-15098 (11th Cir. Sept. 7, 2021).*

But, here there was a factual dispute whether the use of force was justified in shooting at this car that was not close to the officer, and he could have jumped out of the way. Underwood v. City of Bessemer, 19-13992 (11th Cir. Sept. 2, 2021).*

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