Thread: Tell me when in a situation where a hostage is taken...

what are the chances the hostage lives when a police officer fires at the villan for an instant kill? Like in the movies?

Assuming a shot to the brain means instant death could reflexes set the gun off?

Well considering only about 52% of dreamviews members have ever been in that situation, I think that's tricky to answer with any kind of certainty..

You can normally tell by how far through the film is

Near the start of the film, chances are the hostage dies
this sets up the "this time it's personal" revenge story arc
making for a good action film

Near the end of the film, chances are the hostage lives
this sets up the "hero gets the girl" happy ending

...and in real life it depends on how good of a shot the good guy is, and if the bad guy was really serious about shooting the hostage.

I think what Neo is trying to ask is: If the hostage was being held at gunpoint with law enforcement present, what would be the chance that the abductor's gun goes off if one of the agents takes a chance by shooting him in the head?

It's a common theme to have the abductor put the gun to the hostage's head as a means of getting other would-be heroes to refrain from shooting, so that the abductor can buy themselves some time. If I shot the abductor in the head, is there a chance that their body would react in some way that would cause them to squeeze that trigger?

Its actually very likely, because the shot would cause most muscles to tense up... including the fingers.