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The third target requirement is "Target Isolation". Target isolation is assuring that the intended target is isolated and free from innocent bystanders that are in around the line of fire. We do not want to endanger innocent people and must be cognizant of others that are within the field of fire or behind the target.
This includes realizing that bullets will not stop when they strike interior walls with a building if you are firing within a structure. Dry wall, plaster and wall board are easily penetrated by a round and whoever is on the other size could be impacted by the fired round. We must remember the difference between cover and concealment for the sake of
of be aware of the potential reach of a fired round and for protecting ourselves. Cover will stop a round, i.e.: engine block, brick wall, cement pillar, large tree or sandbag. Concealment may stop you from being seen but will not stop a round. IE: bush, smoke, darkness, car door, etc. Some cover will provide both cover & concealment but concealment may not provide cover. Cover such as bullet resistant glass may provide cover but no concealment but this is more infrequent.
An exception to the target requirement of isolation is the "Greater Danger Exception". This exception is only applicable to the isolation rule and narrow circumstances. The Greater Danger Exception is when one has achieved "target identification" and "target acquisition" and it is a greater danger not to shoot then it is to shoot you may apply this exception. To illustrate how this exception is relevant we will give an example and how you would assess a situation under this target rule exception.
You are present at a mall when an active shooter(s) situation erupts. (Active shooting means that the threat has opened fire). You are an armed concealed carry permit holder and draw your firearm in self-defense. Lives are in imminent jeopardy of death or great bodily harm (Intent, weapon, delivery system are present). You have positively IDENTIFIED the threat and you have acquired the target from your vantage point. You are in fear of your life and/or other lives and there are no other options to eliminate the imminent jeopardy to life. You decide to deploy deadly force but there are potential victims running about and you are unable to maintain complete and total target isolation. Maybe there are other innocent people running in the background.
I In this situation you need to ascertain, is it a greater danger for me not to shoot then it to shoot? You hesitate because the only factor is that you do not have total isolation but as you hesitate more people continue to be shot in the mass shooting and the death toll rises. If continued hesitation would result in additional lives being taken then it is a greater danger not to fire. Under the greater danger exception, you would deploy deadly force taking as much care as possible not to endanger innocent persons but you are taking a calculated risk that we would normally avoid. But we consider that further hesitation to shoot because we don't have the level of isolation that is optimal is resulting in the loss of more lives. Yes, it is a greater danger to withhold fire so we would shoot under the greater danger exception to the isolation rule. As always remember that we shoot to STOP not shoot to kill although death is a "high probability" that death may result. This exception is looking at the greater good and what is the greater risk.