The Supreme Court reached a unanimous ruling on Thursday to explore the dynamics of split-second decisions made by officers when their safety is at stake, particularly regarding the justification for using force.
This case originates from a 2016 traffic stop in Texas.
During the stop, 24-year-old Ashtian Burns was fatally shot. He was driving a rental car belonging to his girlfriend when Officer Roberto Felix Jr. pulled him over.
After being asked for his license and insurance, Burns’s car began to roll forward. Felix then jumped into the doorway of the vehicle and discharged his weapon, hitting Burns twice and resulting in his death.
The incident unfolded rapidly. The court was asked to decide if it should evaluate everything that transpired during the traffic stop or focus on the moment when Felix felt threatened in addressing claims of excessive force.
In their 9-0 ruling, the justices determined that the concept of “intimidation of threat” should not dictate the court’s approach and emphasized the need to consider “the whole situation.”
“To evaluate whether an officer acted reasonably in applying force, the court needs to take into account all relevant circumstances, including the facts leading up to the critical moment,” stated Justice Elena Kagan in her majority opinion.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh also shared his agreement, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Amy Coney Barrett.
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