- The trial of suspected knife attack on official has begun
After an alleged knife attack on police officers last November in Gummersbach, the trial against a 31-year-old began in Cologne. The man is accused of armed robbery of beer cans in a supermarket, violent resistance, dangerous bodily harm, and attempted murder of officers. The officers allegedly fired at the man repeatedly during the incident. For him, commitment to a psychiatric institution is being considered.
The 31-year-old is said to have initially stolen beer cans. When an employee of the grocery store asked him to pay for the drinks at the cash register, he allegedly punched her in the face and pushed her to the ground, according to the indictment. He had already drunk one can of beer in the store beforehand.
When officers later approached the 31-year-old near the bus station, the defendant is said to have approached the officers with a "utility knife in his hand" and attacked them, as the prosecutor said. The situation then escalated. After the defendant allegedly injured a police officer with the knife, the three other involved officers allegedly fired at him repeatedly. The 31-year-old was severely injured and taken to a hospital. Furthermore, at least two bystanders are said to have been injured by bullets from police weapons.
The man is facing additional charges of bodily harm and resistance against police officers in two separate indictments. He initially remained silent on all charges.
Initially, the case was heard in the spring at the Gummersbach district court. There, the psychiatric expert concluded that long-term commitment to a psychiatric institution could also be considered for the 31-year-old due to mental disorder or illness. The case was then transferred to the Cologne regional court. Long-term commitments to psychiatric institutions can only be ordered by regional courts.
The trial is scheduled for four more trial days until mid-September.
Following the knife attack, the 31-year-old was subsequently arrested and charged with numerous offenses. In light of his actions during the incident, the possibility of committing him to a psychiatric institution is being considered.
