Investigations stopped after fatal police shooting in Schwalmstadt

Investigations stopped after fatal police shooting in Schwalmstadt

In Schwalmstadt, the investigation into the fatal police shooting of a 20-year-old woman has been discontinued. The Marburg public prosecutor did not see sufficient suspicion of manslaughter against the four police officers involved, who fired a total of 13 shots at the woman on October 24, 2024. The background and details of this tragic event raise some questions.

The 20-year-old was heavily intoxicated and drove a damaged vehicle onto the police station in Schwalmstadt. After a previous arrest on suspicion of drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident without permission, she returned to the station in her car a short time later. At this point she had a deceptively real airsoft gun in her hand that shoots plastic bullets and, according to the initial report, is viewed by the public prosecutor as a decisive factor in the police operation. Initial information suggested she fired at the officers, but it remains unclear whether she actually fired shots. Investigators confirmed that an examination of the weapon is underway, including both crime scene and mechanical damage analysis. It is certain that the police had to act quickly in an exceptional situation.

The tragedy and the consequences

The woman, who was known to the police and was previously homeless, was hit by at least two bullets during the exchange of fire. A shot caused fatal injuries, which ultimately led to heavy blood loss. Despite immediate measures in the ambulance, she died shortly afterwards. Investigators from the Hessian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) are entrusted with clarifying the exact circumstances of the incident, but initial findings show that the police officers acted within the framework of their rules of operation. Criminologists assess the police operation as legally covered, so that the officers are not suspected of a crime.

The discussion about the use of firearms by the police is becoming increasingly important in Germany. Since the George Floyd case, many people have been discussing the issue of police violence intensively. A study by the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main sheds light on the various dimensions of excessive use of force. Year after year, reports of aggressive deployments by police officers can be observed - be it during demonstrations or in conflict situations. This tragedy in Schwalmstadt could also reignite such a debate. Although the officers' deployment was legally protected, the feeling of insecurity among the population remains.

The weapon and the legal regulations

Airsoft weapons like the one wielded by the deceased woman are a controversial topic in Germany. Depending on the projectile energy, they are either classified as toys or are subject to licensing requirements. Models with an energy level of less than 0.5 joules can be sold without restrictions to those aged 14 and over, while more powerful versions are intended for buyers aged 18 and over. Despite this classification as a non-lethal weapon, they can cause significant injury in threatening situations and are taken seriously by the police.

Overall, the public debate about violent situations in the police service remains current and relevant. Cases like this are also an opportunity to discuss officers' training and scope for action, as well as to raise awareness of police violence and its causes. Transparency regarding firearm-related incidents could not only contribute to the clarification of individual, tragic events, but also to the urgently needed reforms within the police.

While the public prosecutor's office has completed its investigation, the question of improving communication and de-escalation within the police as well as society's perception of police violence remains open. Only by dealing with this issue honestly and transparently can trust in the police institution be strengthened in the long term. There is a lot to do for this.

Further information can be found in the reports from NH24 and World. There is also valuable data on the topic of Deutschlandfunk.