Overview
- Investigators allege a 27-year-old officer fatally shot 21-year-old Lorenz A. around 2:40 a.m. on April 20 in Oldenburg’s city center.
- Prosecutors say an intentional killing charge is unwarranted because the officer acted under a mistaken belief of self-defense.
- They conclude no defensive situation existed at the moment of the shot, noting the victim had used pepper spray, carried no knife, and tried to flee.
- The error in judgment is described as avoidable, forming the basis for the negligent homicide indictment filed with the Landgericht Oldenburg.
- Under German law, negligent homicide is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine.