Officer discharges a round as a cautionary measure
In Altdorf, district of Nuernberger Land, on the evening of December 19, 2024, a family dispute escalated into a tense standoff between a 52-year-old man and local police officers.
The incident began when the man's wife reported a disturbance to the police emergency number at around 23:45. Upon arrival, officers found the man in his garden, holding a pickaxe.
The man reportedly threatened police officers with the axe, prompting them to take immediate action. According to reports, he threw a glass bottle at the officers, who managed to dodge the projectile.
In an attempt to apprehend the man, an officer fired a warning shot into the air, causing the man to retreat back into his garden hut. The man barricaded himself inside, refusing to put down the tool.
Despite the challenges, the officers were able to arrest the man using immediate force. The man sustained minor facial injuries during the arrest, but the officers remained unharmed throughout the incident.
The man was admitted to a specialized clinic due to his exceptional psychological state. Investigations into threats, attempted dangerous bodily harm, resistance, and assault on law enforcement officers are being conducted by the Lauf a.d.Pegnitz police station.
It is worth noting that investigations related to such incidents in Germany are typically handled by the public prosecution office (Staatsanwaltschaft), supported by the police investigative units. Independent oversight, such as a police ombudsman or police commissioner, can also conduct investigations to clarify responsibilities and examine police conduct.
The press office of the Police Headquarters Middle Franconia can be contacted at [email protected] for more information. The press office's contact details and more information can be found at our platform.
There was no danger to bystanders during the incident, and the man's voluntary alcohol test showed a reading of around two promille.
The man emerged from the hut unarmed after the arrest, bringing an end to the dramatic standoff in Altdorf.
