Is firing a warning shot an appropriate method to stop a fleeing suspect?

Firing a warning shot is not considered an appropriate method to stop a fleeing suspect due to safety concerns and the potential for unintended consequences. When a firearm is discharged, there is a significant risk that the bullet could strike an innocent bystander or cause property damage, particularly if the warning shot is fired into the air or ground. Bullets do not just disappear; they come down or can ricochet unpredictably, creating hazards for others in the vicinity.

Additionally, using a warning shot can escalate the situation rather than de-escalate it. Instead of deterring the suspect, it may provoke panic or provoke them to react violently. Law enforcement and trained personnel are taught to use firearms solely in situations where their life or the lives of others are in imminent danger, making the discharge of a firearm for a warning—especially in non-life-threatening circumstances—an inappropriate and dangerous action. Therefore, the practice of firing a warning shot is typically discouraged in training and policy guidelines within law enforcement and firearm use.