Under what circumstance may an officer use deadly force according to NCGS 15A-401(d)(2)?

The correct answer highlights a critical principle in the use of deadly force by law enforcement. According to NCGS 15A-401(d)(2), an officer is justified in using deadly force when defending themselves or a third person against an imminent threat of deadly force. This reflects the legal standards that allow officers to protect themselves or others when there is a clear and immediate danger to life.

This provision underscores the necessity of immediacy in the perceived threat; there must be an imminent use of deadly physical force for the response of deadly force to be considered justified. This aligns with the overarching legal principle that deadly force should only be employed as a last resort when lives are at imminent risk.

Conversely, the other options lack the critical element of "imminent threat." Using deadly force merely to deter criminal activity without an immediate danger does not meet the legal justification criteria, nor does it apply when a person is simply fleeing the scene or if there is mere suspicion of someone being armed without an immediate threat being present. Therefore, the necessity for an immediate and credible threat is what makes the correct answer appropriate and aligns it with the legal statutes governing the use of force by law enforcement.