Scenario

Note: This is based on a real life incident, that actually happened. With that in mind, please don’t go Googling to try to find out what happened. I will eventually say what happened, but I’d like to see what everyone says first.

Also, this is all the information you get, so make your decision as quickly as possible and post what your decision is in the comments. There is no wrong or right answer, so don’t be shy about what you would do (or wouldn’t do).

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine yourself in this scenario…

You’re a Sheriff’s Deputy, on patrol in a rural county. It’s a little after midnight.

You get dispatched to an assault in progress in a secluded area. The caller said her ex-fiance broke into the house, and is armed with a gun and a knife. She said her fiance was shot in the neck. She cries and says to hurry, when the call is disconnected.

You call for back up in route to the scene. Another Deputy and a City officer from a local municipality arrive on the scene to assist.

As you and the Deputy pull up in the front of the house, you notice a white panel van covered in smeared blood on one side. You see a trail of blood between the side of van and the front door of the house. You can’t tell if the blood is going from the house to the van, or the van to the house.

The Officer goes around the house and parks in the rear. The Officer covers the back door, while you and the Deputy go up to the front door.

The Deputy takes the lead, while you cover him from behind. He pounds on the door, shouting “Police!” You hear screaming from inside. A man shouts, “You’ll have to break it down!”

The Deputy tries to open the door, but it’s locked. You both draw your duty pistols. He takes a step back, and kicks it down. For the split second you can see, you see a pregnant woman on the floor bleeding and a male holding a knife and a gun, covered in blood. You see another shadow in the far back of the room, but are unable to determine what it is.

The man inside shoots his gun, and the Deputy in front of you falls backwards. You run off of the porch, and seek cover around the corner of the house. You hear a female scream inside, “He’s going to get more ammo!”

You hear foot steps on the porch, and see a man running towards you.

What would you do?

Remember, this Deputy had a split second to make his decision, so try to keep from thinking about your decision too much.