FOCL Practice Test

What crime has Carlos committed after injuring multiple people in a mall shooting?

1. Aggravated assault

2. Attempted murder

3. Murder

4. Public endangerment

The correct answer is: Murder

The correct answer is murder, which applies in this scenario because Carlos has not only caused injury but has also likely resulted in the death of one or more individuals during the shooting incident. Murder is defined as the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another and includes various degrees depending on intent and circumstances. If Carlos’s actions were intentional and resulted in fatalities, it clearly classifies as murder under criminal law. While aggravated assault involves causing serious bodily injury or threatening to harm someone, it does not necessarily imply the death of the persons injured. Attempted murder would pertain to the intent to kill, but there is no evidence of a lack of success in causing fatalities in this context since multiple injuries likely led to deaths. Public endangerment generally refers to reckless actions that could cause harm to the community but does not address the underlying act of causing injuries or deaths directly. Thus, murder is the most precise classification of Carlos's actions based on the situation described.