1

Context: Cops are trying to get a view on an offender, there is a sniper out there trying to see the offender that is inside the high rise building.

A: Hailey (the sniper), I need you to get set for a high diversion shot at the ceiling. No joy, repeat, no joy, on my order.

B: Copy.

Sources: Feelings Chapter 13, a Chicago PD fanfic | FanFiction
     Chicago P.D. S7E4 Script

What does A mean by "a high diversion shot at the ceiling"?

Improve this question
2
  • 2
    Note that this is technical jargon and the question may be better directed to a group with the relevant technical specialists (possibly a law enforcement group).
    – RBarryYoung
    May 18 at 13:23
  • It's just two adjectives. If I said "a big red ball" it simply means a ball that is both big and red. That's all. There's no special meaning.
    – Fattie
    May 19 at 11:02

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6

It probably means for the person to shoot the ceiling to create a diversion into making the offender move and make it easier for the sniper to spot. Or the sniper shoots the ceiling to distract the offender and the other person rushes in.

This makes use of the idea that one is tempted or even "forced" to move to trace where the bullet came from and who shoot it, forgetting the fact that there are potentially other shooters around, in this case the sniper.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    This is plausible but it might instead be intended as an actual diversion while the sniper moves position themselves; it's a bit hard to say from the brevity of the context but the use of the word diversion rather than something nearer to flushing suggests its purpose might not be to get the offender to move at all, but to fail to notice something else (the point of a diversion is to divert attention)
    – Glen_b
    May 18 at 0:27
  • 1
    I recognize the scene, and indeed, what happens is that Hailey shoots at the ceiling, the offender looks up, and someone (I believe Jake?) busts in the room and saves the day.
    – Jörg W Mittag
    May 18 at 12:16
7

The term ‘diversion shot’ refers to a shot that intentionally misses the intended target with the specific purpose of distracting or startling them. ‘high’ likely refers in context to the angle of the shot, which is supported by the reference to the ceiling.

The general idea is that most people other than highly experienced trained soldiers will end up focusing on the person who fired the diversion shot and neglect the possibility of other shooters or observers (most people will also move almost immediately in a situation like this as well, which is probably what the main goal was in context).

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .