FLASH NEWS
Serious in Germany/ Police officer kills 21-year-old black man, investigations begin
2025-04-26 10:35:09 / BOTA
Civil rights activists in Germany have called for an independent investigation into allegations of institutional racism following the killing of a 21-year-old black man by a police officer in the city of Oldenburg.
The incident occurred after a conflict outside a nightclub in the early morning hours of April 20.
Authorities said the 27-year-old officer who shot the young man has been suspended from duty while a murder investigation is launched. Prosecutors described the suspension as "standard procedure," as police shootings remain rare in Germany.
Police have not released the victim's identity due to data protection laws, but German media and civil society organizations have identified him as Lorenz A., a German citizen.
According to the official police statement, the young man is suspected of pepper spraying four club security guards and threatening other people with a knife during his escape.
When he was found by patrol, he reportedly used pepper spray again and approached an officer in a threatening manner, who then opened fire, the Guardian writes .
An autopsy revealed that Lorenz A. was shot at least three times from behind – in the back of the head, torso and groin – while a fourth bullet struck his upper thigh. He later died in hospital.
The state's Interior Minister, Daniela Behrens, said the autopsy results raise "serious questions and grave suspicions" that require full clarification.
On the other hand, the police union has called for premature judgments to be avoided. "There are accusations of racism because the deceased was a person of color," said Kevin Komolka of the PBB union, criticizing the way the police are being presented to the public.
Prosecutors are reviewing security camera footage and audio from the scene. So far, there is no evidence that Lorenz A. threatened the police with a knife.
It has also been confirmed that the officers' body cameras were turned off during the incident.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Black Initiative in Germany (ISD), have called the shootings "disturbing" and have called for the establishment of an independent mechanism to investigate suspected cases of racism in the police.
In a statement, the ISD remembered the victim as an energetic basketball player and loved by his friends, while the Amadeu Antonio Foundation stressed that the case is not isolated and called for full transparency in the investigation.
A protest has been announced to be held in Oldenburg on Friday, with the participation of organizations and citizens demanding justice and accountability for the event.
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