A man in his 40s was killed Saturday afternoon during a police operation in Leonberg, authorities confirmed. According to the Stuttgart Public Prosecutor’s Office and the State Criminal Police Office of Baden-Württemberg, the incident began when the 44-year-old German national reportedly discharged a firearm from an upper floor of his residence on Hohheckstraße. Initial reports indicate that the man fired multiple shots indiscriminately towards the street, an adjacent building and pedestrians. He also allegedly opened fire on responding police officers, though no injuries were reported at that stage.
Following the initial shooting, the man retreated into his home, making contact with law enforcement impossible as he did not respond to calls.
Subsequently, officers of the Special Operations Command, which had been deployed to the scene, reportedly encountered the man brandishing a firearm. This led to police using their own firearms, resulting in the man sustaining a fatal injury despite immediate medical assistance.
During the securing of the weapon reportedly used to threaten the officers, it was determined to be a compressed air gun. Investigations are underway to clarify whether the man used this weapon or another firearm to fire upon the street and surrounding areas.
An investigation into the police use of firearms is being conducted by the State Criminal Police Office of Baden-Württemberg. Further information will not be released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.