Police officers kill armed seventy-five-year-old man in Anykščiai district
On Sunday in Anykščiai district, special forces fighters killed an elderly man who had posed a threat to officers. Police had been called to this homestead more than once before.
Police officers kill armed seventy-five-year-old man in Anykščiai district
On the evening of 21 June in Sviesteliškio village, Anykščiai district, police opened fire and killed a seventy-five-year-old man who had fired at officers. Delfi reported details of the incident.
The conflict began around 18:24 when a man born in 1951 threatened family members in the yard with an unlicensed firearm. Frightened relatives called the police. Anykščiai district officers who arrived demanded that the homeowner put down the rifle, but he refused to comply.
Special forces unit "Aras" from the Police Department were then called to assist. Local police officers waited at a safe distance for more than sixty minutes and urged the man to surrender over a loudspeaker. During the entire operation, which lasted approximately three hours, the man fired shots twice in an unclear direction.
When the counter-terrorism forces arrived, the seventy-five-year-old aimed the weapon at them and pulled the trigger. The fighters returned fire and neutralised him. No police officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire.
Renatas Vitkauskas, head of the Utena district police, stated that this man had previously had a weapon confiscated. However, the rifle used on Sunday also lacked the necessary documentation. According to the police chief, the man may have suffered from a mental illness, and law enforcement had regularly attended the homestead due to disputes with neighbours.
A representative of the Panevėžys regional prosecutor's office, Ramūnas Pačebutas, confirmed that two criminal cases had been opened – for unlawful possession of a firearm under Article 253 of the Criminal Code and for resisting police under Article 286. Officers who participated in the gunfight have not been suspended from duty and are receiving psychological support.
Police General Commissioner Arūnas Paulauskas expressed condolences to the deceased's family. He noted that the aggressive, armed citizen had rejected all demands and attacked officers. According to him, the special forces soldiers had no other choice but to defend themselves.
"When faced with a directly dangerous situation, officers must make decisions to protect themselves, their colleagues and the public," Paulauskas emphasised.
According to Delfi, on 22 May officers had already attended the same location. On that occasion, an unlawfully held smooth-bore hunting rifle "Iž" and six cartridges were confiscated.
Source: Google News LT — Crime (lt)