Man dies after standoff with police in Bochum – DW – 10/12/2024

German police investigated a situation in which a man died of a gunshot wound after an altercation with police.

Residents of the western German city of Bochum, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, called the police on Friday afternoon when they saw a man throwing things out of his window.

What happened in Bochum?

A joint statement from the public prosecutor’s office in Bochum and the Essen police station said the man stepped out of his apartment when police arrived and attacked officers in the hallway with a hammer.

Police officials tried to de-escalate the situation, but the man went back to his apartment and locked himself in, the statement said.

Special police units were called in because officers were unsure whether the man had more weapons.

The man, 32 years old, was hit by two shots and died on the spot.

Police say initial indications point to a man struggling with mental illness.

They said they are investigating the situation, including the gunfire that ultimately killed the man, to learn more.

rm/rmt (dpa, AFP)