A police operation in Berlin ended tragically when a 46-year-old man was shot dead by special forces. The public prosecutor has released new details.
The 46-year-old man, who was fatally shot by Berlin police special forces on Saturday, is believed to have had psychological problems. He was reportedly under supervision, according to Sebastian Büchner, the spokesperson for the Berlin public prosecutor’s office, as reported by the German Press Agency (dpa). This was also earlier reported by RBB.
The incident began on Saturday morning when the 46-year-old allegedly threatened a 49-year-old man with a firearm at a caravan site. “The man managed to drive the attacker away and called the police,” said a joint statement from the police and the public prosecutor’s office. “The 49-year-old was unharmed, followed the 46-year-old, and saw him enter a multi-family house on Dreilindenstraße.” The suspect did not respond, prompting the officers to forcibly enter the apartment in the afternoon.
Man allegedly opened fire on police
The police gained access to the apartment in Nikolassee with a judicial warrant, where the 46-year-old had taken refuge. According to the police and the public prosecutor’s office, the man allegedly opened fire immediately upon their entry. “Police officers returned fire, striking the man fatally.” A homicide unit is now investigating the incident.
It is still unclear how the 46-year-old came into possession of the weapon, Büchner stated. The apartment was described as being in a very disorganized state.
Area dominated by villas
The residence is located in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district of Berlin, near Wannsee. The surrounding neighborhood is primarily composed of villas and single-family homes. The building where the man had taken refuge contains social housing. A local resident told a dpa reporter that the building is believed to contain around 100 one-room apartments. A primary school is located next to the building.
