- Deadly operation in Mannheim - police officer acted in self-defence
Proceedings against the police officer who shot a 31-year-old in self-defense during his duty at Mannheim University in April have been discontinued. The police officer acted in self-defense and thus justifiably, the Mannheim Public Prosecutor's Office announced.
What happened?
On April 23, the 31-year-old, known to the police, was noticed in the university building for sticking stickers on furniture and attempting to distribute them in an auditorium. When a man approached him, he allegedly slapped him. When the police arrived, the 31-year-old was holding a 61-centimeter-long machete. The police officer drew his service weapon and repeatedly ordered the 31-year-old to drop the machete.
As the 31-year-old did not comply but instead moved towards the officer with the machete, the officer fired a shot from his service weapon, hitting the 31-year-old in the right chest area, causing him to collapse immediately. The 31-year-old later died.
Reasoning of the Public Prosecutor's Office
"At the time of the shooting, there was an ongoing, unlawful attack on the physical integrity of the police officer. In this situation, there was an immediate, significant danger that the 31-year-old would use his machete and cause the police officer serious, if not fatal, injuries," the prosecution explained its decision.
The shooting was necessary to defend against the attack. The fact that the 31-year-old might have been suffering from a mental illness did not change this. Rather, it was not possible for the police officer to retreat without putting himself or the people present in the auditorium at a considerable risk.
The Mannheim Public Prosecutor's Office, which handled the case, decided to discontinue proceedings against the police officer due to his actions being in self-defense. However, the case was then handed over to The Office of the Prosecutor for further review based on allegations of misconduct during the incident.
