Oldenburg police investigating the Easter Sunday shooting of Lorenz A. have created a 3D reconstruction of the incident to aid their investigation.
Sources close to the investigation indicate that the fatal shots were fired from very close range – reportedly less than four meters. Lorenz A., 21, is believed to have discharged pepper spray at the officer involved prior to the shooting. Video footage reportedly shows the deceased approaching and then retreating from, the officer.
The shots struck him from behind. While the officer had received prior warning about a knife potentially being carried by Lorenz A., he did not have the weapon in his hand at the time of the shooting; it was found in his pocket. Lorenz A. was a German citizen of Togolese descent.
The shooting sparked widespread protests and heightened tensions in Oldenburg in the days and weeks following the incident. Demonstrators, including family and friends of Lorenz A., accused the police of racism, drawing parallels between his death and the 2020 killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis. “Our officers had not previously experienced such an aggressive atmosphere in the city” stated Oldenburg Police Chief Andreas Sagehorn. “Colleagues not involved in the case reported harassment during routine patrols”.