Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Calls for Independent Oversight Grow After Fatal Police Shooting in Oldenburg

The death of Lorenz A., a 21-year-old Black man shot from behind by a suspended officer, has intensified demands for accountability and systemic reform in German policing.

Image
Schilder mit der Aufschrift „Gerechtigkeit für Lorenz“ sind bei einer Kundgebung zu sehen
Image
Image

Overview

  • Lorenz A. was fatally shot by a 27-year-old officer on Easter Sunday; three of the five shots struck him from behind, according to investigators.
  • The officer, now under investigation for manslaughter, had his bodycam deactivated during the incident; phone and radio records are being reviewed.
  • Protests in Oldenburg drew 8,000–10,000 people calling for justice, with activists and community groups highlighting systemic racism in law enforcement.
  • Advocacy groups and politicians from the Greens and Left parties are pushing for an independent investigative authority to ensure impartiality in police misconduct cases.
  • The case has reignited national debates over police accountability, transparency, and the disproportionate use of force against racial minorities in Germany.