Machete-wielding man at German university shot, killed by police

DPA
·1 min read
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Police officers stand in front of the university in Mannheim. The police have shot at a suspected rioter in the library of the Faculty of Economics at Mannheim University. René Priebe/dpa
Police officers stand in front of the university in Mannheim. The police have shot at a suspected rioter in the library of the Faculty of Economics at Mannheim University. René Priebe/dpa

A 31-year-old man who allegedly entered a library at the University of Mannheim in south-west Germany with a machete on Tuesday evening was shot by police and later died in hospital.

Investigators and the public prosecutor's office said there had been a threat against police officers, whereupon they had made use of their firearms.

The deceased man had become violent towards an employee before the officers arrived, a police spokesman said. Students were also present but there was no danger to them.

The man was initially noticed in the library area of the Faculty of Economics and then banned from the premises due to disruptive behaviour.

When a police patrol arrived, he was reportedly holding a machete. After being shot by the officers, the German national was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries.

According to the statement, the man was previously known to the police. His motive for the threatening behaviour at the library was initially unclear.