Question: Why did Exley appear so traumatised after killing the man in the elevator? He is, after all, a police officer in homicide, and he killed people before that. Also, did he kill him intentionally?
Chosen answer:A 12g shotgun blast at that range would cause an incredibly bloody death, especially as there is a good chance it hit the man in the face. Exley has killed a person in the line of duty before this, but not in such a spectacular way. And while he may not have meant to kill him he chose to shoot over letting the man escape.
The scene was building up tension beyond "Will Ed catch the Night Owl suspect?" Ed has lost his glasses and gets to the elevator as the doors close. He fires blindly into the elevator; for a split second, Ed took a risk: he could've shot an innocent bystander. His career flashes before his eyes. IIRC, it was filmed in a way to imply Ed didn't actually see the suspect get in the doors. The doors open. Ed realises the risk was worth it. This is a pivotal point in his character development.
Chosen answer: A 12g shotgun blast at that range would cause an incredibly bloody death, especially as there is a good chance it hit the man in the face. Exley has killed a person in the line of duty before this, but not in such a spectacular way. And while he may not have meant to kill him he chose to shoot over letting the man escape.
Grumpy Scot
The scene was building up tension beyond "Will Ed catch the Night Owl suspect?" Ed has lost his glasses and gets to the elevator as the doors close. He fires blindly into the elevator; for a split second, Ed took a risk: he could've shot an innocent bystander. His career flashes before his eyes. IIRC, it was filmed in a way to imply Ed didn't actually see the suspect get in the doors. The doors open. Ed realises the risk was worth it. This is a pivotal point in his character development.