When does the law permit the use of deadly force according to 15A-401(D)2?

The use of deadly force is permitted under the law primarily when an individual is defending themselves or others from an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. This principle emphasizes the necessity for the force used to be proportional to the threat faced. In the context of the law, "imminent use of deadly force" signifies that the danger is immediate and unavoidable, allowing individuals to act in self-defense or defense of others with lethal force if there are no other reasonable alternatives to escape or evade the threat.

The other options do not align with the legal standards for the use of deadly force. Immobilizing a suspect during an escape may not warrant deadly force unless there is an imminent threat to life. Stopping property theft or preventing an assault may not necessarily involve a lethal threat; therefore, the legal justifications for using deadly force in such scenarios are more nuanced and typically do not meet the threshold of imminent danger required for its lawful application.