Dortmund Police Shooting Trial Nears Verdict

Defense asserts police actions were lawful, while prosecution questions the use of force in the death of 16-year-old Mouhamed Dramé.

Mouhamed Dramé, a 16-year-old refugee from Senegal, was fatally shot by police in Dortmund during a 2022 incident where he was deemed suicidal and armed with a knife.
The defense argues that the officers acted in self-defense, claiming Dramé moved toward them with the knife after attempts to communicate with him failed.
Prosecutors contend that the use of pepper spray escalated the situation unnecessarily, leading to the fatal outcome, and are seeking a suspended sentence for the commanding officer.
The defense has called for the acquittal of all five officers involved, maintaining that their actions were justified under the circumstances.
A verdict in the trial is expected to be delivered on Thursday, December 12, 2024.