A 70-year-old Tunisian national was shot dead by police during an operation in the Scharnhorst suburb of Dortmund on Friday afternoon after reportedly threatening emergency services with a knife.
The man, identified as Tunisian-born with German citizenship, succumbed to his injuries in an ambulance despite extensive efforts to save his life.
The incident began around 1:20 p.m. when emergency services received a distress call from paramedics who had arrived to treat the man.
According to Bild, the pensioner suddenly brandished a large knife and threatened the paramedics, prompting them to call the police. A patrol car was immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon their arrival, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the man allegedly charged at them with the weapon. In response, one of the officers fired at least one shot from his Walther P99 service weapon, wounding the suspect.
Emergency responders, including a rescue helicopter, rushed to provide aid. Blood reserves were also transported to assist in efforts to stabilize the man. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after 3 p.m.
The officer who discharged his firearm was instructed to surrender his weapon, and forensic teams collected potential evidence. He has been formally designated as a suspect, a standard procedure in cases involving the use of lethal force by law enforcement.
Public Prosecutor Felix Giesenregen confirmed that an investigation has been opened into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. “We have initiated a death investigation to determine whether the use of force was justified as an act of self-defense,” he stated.
Neighbors reported that the deceased had been living with his ex-wife and exhibited erratic behavior, with some suggesting he had suffered from psychological issues.
For impartiality, the neighboring Recklinghausen police headquarters has taken over the investigation into the officer’s actions and the overall handling of the incident.
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