Deadly police operation in Oldenburg: investigations underway at full speed!

Deadly police operation in Oldenburg: investigations underway at full speed!

A tragic incident is causing excitement and consternation in Oldenburg: a 21-year-old man, Lorenz, died at the end of April 2025 on the night of Easter Sunday from multiple shots by police officers. The investigation into these fatal police shootings is currently underway at full speed, and the city is facing a multitude of questions and challenges.
It was a quiet evening when the situation on Achternstrasse escalated. Officers reportedly had information about Lorenz's knife and other possible dangers. Nevertheless, no warning shot was fired and the operation led to serious consequences. Lorenz was hit from behind - a 27-year-old police officer shot him five times in total, with three hits in the upper body, hip and head. In addition, Lorenz may have been injured in the thigh by a grazing shot, but he died in hospital from his serious injuries. His aunt expressed the wish that this anything but persistent case would be solved quickly in order to provide clarity to the bereaved and also to the public.[butenuninninnen]

Modern techniques are used at the crime scene in Oldenburg to reconstruct the exact events. 3D techniques and drones were used to increase the precision of the investigation. The aim is to determine the exact positions of the police officers and the deceased Lorenz with millimeter precision. A correctly assessed situation is of central importance in order to find out exactly what happened and why the use of firearms was so uncontrolled. At the same time, the police officers' radio communications were evaluated and the relevant video and audio recordings were edited into a short clip. However, the time frame of around 20 seconds, which could be decisive, is only vaguely visible, which makes a complete reconstruction difficult. As the investigation progresses, possible charges against the police officer responsible are also being considered.[om online]

Public Responses and Community Affairs

The public reacts to the bereavement with mixed feelings. Before the investigation began, numerous memorial objects were placed on Achternstrasse, but these were removed by city employees after consultation with Lorenz's family. This measure is met with divided opinions among the population, as many consider a public expression of mourning to be important. The clearance can also be seen as an attempt to restore calm in the neighborhood.[butenuninninnen]

At the same time, there is a broad debate about police violence in Germany, which has come into focus again, especially after the George Floyd case. A recent study by the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main highlights that police violence is often defined as excessive use of force by police officers. Forms of this violence range from physical coercion to the use of firearms. It is not only important to deal with these incidents, but also to question the police culture. Over half of the cases of police violence have no connection to major events, but rather occur in everyday conflict situations. As the study shows, poor communication and stress in dispute situations can have fatal consequences. The pressure to enforce authority plays a significant role in the conflict of objectives between emergency services and civil society.[deutschlandfunk]

Future measures and reforms

The current developments in Oldenburg also cast a shadow on the political analysis of police structures and their need for reform. Experts are not only calling for a systematic investigation of incidents, but also for fundamental reforms in the training and awareness-raising of police officers. An intensive debate should be held about the “esprit de corps” within the police culture in order to question racist structures and create new awareness.[deutschlandfunk]

In this time of uncertainty, both Lorenz's family and the city of Oldenburg must take responsibility so that such tragedies can perhaps be prevented in the future. A significant step in the right direction would be a more open discussion and a deeper examination of the problems of police violence and its prevention.