Man shot dead in police operation - before that he attacked officers with a knife

Created: 02/26/2022, 21:53

By: Catherine Haase

A police officer reaches for his gun.

© Julian Stratenschulte/dpa/symbol picture

A man was shot dead during a police operation in Gunzenhausen early Friday morning.

The background to the events is still unclear.

Update from February 25, 1:40 p.m .:

After a man died in a police operation, the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is now investigating.

Police said it was investigating whether the use of firearms was lawful.

This is normal in such cases.

The Ansbach police are still investigating the crime itself. 

It was initially unclear why the man attacked the emergency services.

There is a suspicion of a mental state of emergency, according to the police.

It was unclear how many shots were fired, how many officers fired and whether shots had previously been fired in the air as a warning.

These questions are the subject of the investigation, said an LKA spokeswoman.

In 2020, according to the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior, police officers shot at people ten times in action.

One person was killed and one injured.

According to a ministry spokesman, there were also eleven warning shots, during which the officials deliberately only shot in the air.

Figures for the past year should be available in March. 

Shots in Gunzenhausen: Man is shot in a police operation

First report from February 25, 7:06 a.m.:

Gunzenhausen – In the early morning of Friday, February 25, a man died in a police operation in Gunzenhausen in Central Franconia.

Apparently he was shot dead by a police officer on duty, reports the German Press Agency.

The backgrounds are still unclear.

As reported by the police, the officials received a call around midnight from Thursday to Friday - with reference to a rampaging man in Lindenstrasse.

On site, officers noticed the smell of smoke and alerted the fire brigade.

It is currently assumed that the rioter set fire to the house in which he lived.

Gunzenhausen: man shot by police - he set a fire in his house

When firefighters got to the scene, the resident exited the home.

He threatened the officers with a knife and eventually attacked them.

Despite repeated use of pepper spray, the man could not be calmed down.

Finally, the officers used their firearms.

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After deadly shots in Gunzenhausen: police officers in psychological care

The man was injured by the shots and was taken to a hospital after receiving immediate medical attention.

The 47-year-old succumbed to his injuries there.

Emergency services and the police officers are in psychological care.

Meanwhile, around 100 emergency services fought against the flames, which had spread in the basement.

Even after the fire was extinguished, the house remained heavily smoked.

Seven residents from neighboring houses were evacuated.

Why the man set the fire and attacked the officers is still under investigation.