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Police operation in the Waldhof district of Mannheim on Tuesday
Photo: Rene Priebe / dpa
According to the preliminary autopsy result, the cause of death of the man who died during a police operation in Mannheim on Tuesday is not a gunshot wound caused by the officers.
The Baden-Württemberg State Criminal Police Office announced that the 31-year-old's death was due to cardiovascular failure and high blood loss.
Accordingly, a puncture wound in the collarbone area in particular led to massive bleeding.
The 31-year-old inflicted this on himself.
The final autopsy result should be available in a few weeks.
Police said on Tuesday that the man had been injured during an operation to which officers had been called on suspicion of domestic violence.
The man had apparently argued with his mother and, according to the investigators, was in a "mental state of emergency".
Before the police arrived, he had inflicted "several serious stab and cut injuries" on himself.
Since he had made threats and ignored requests from the police, the officers finally responded by "aiming a shot in the 31-year-old's leg".
Emergency services, paramedics and an emergency doctor initiated first aid and resuscitation measures, but the man died anyway.
The officials were reportedly alerted by an emergency call from a neighbor.
Second death after a police operation within a short time
The case attracted particular attention because it was the second death after a police operation in Mannheim within eight days.
On May 2, a man died there during an arrest.
According to the initial results of the autopsy, traces of blunt but not massive violence were found on the victim.
The 47-year-old had heart failure.
The exact cause of death has not yet been determined.
According to the police, a doctor from the Central Institute for Mental Health in Mannheim had informed the police about a patient who needed help because of self-endangerment.
The police picked up the man in downtown Mannheim.
He is said to have resisted the police.
Videos on social media are said to show how an officer used violence against the man.
Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against two police officers involved.
They are currently suspended from duty.
The incident sparked protests against police violence in the city.
fek/AFP