Shots at soldiers in Erding: Police react to training panic!

Shots at soldiers in Erding: Police react to training panic!

In Altenerding, Bavaria, there was recently an alarming incident that stirred emotions. Shots were fired during a Bundeswehr exercise, prompting a quick response from the police. Loud BR Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) explained that the police responded to a perceived danger when a resident reported an armed person in camouflage clothing on October 22nd.

On the evening of the incident, which was unexpected for many of those involved, the police operation began at around 5 p.m. Initially, warning shots were fired to de-escalate the situation. The soldiers, who were in a training scenario, reacted and laid down their weapons. Surprisingly, however, a soldier opened fire with maneuver ammunition, i.e. blank cartridges. In the hectic situation, the police responded with live fire, with one soldier being slightly injured in the face.

Misunderstandings and communication breakdowns

Some of the soldiers believed they were actually in a training scenario, while police suspected a potential terrorist threat. It became clear that there were huge communication problems between the two sides. Conflicting information about the start and location of the exercise contributed to this confusion, which led to the critical situation. The question of whether police and soldiers recognized each other also remains open.

The exercise entitled “Marshal Power” had already started on October 22nd and a specific exercise scenario for the night of October 23rd had been announced. Despite the tense situation, the Greens are now demanding that the population be better informed about such exercises. They criticized the fact that such incidents had to be viewed constructively and called for more transparency in the cooperation between the police and the Bundeswehr.

Reactions and investigations

Neither the police nor the soldiers expected such serious consequences that day. The State Criminal Police Office is now investigating the events in order to clarify possible errors in the communication process. The injured soldiers have already reported the use of firearms to the police. Lawyers for the soldier who was shot argue that the soldiers were clearly visible, making the incident even more complex.

Interior Minister Herrmann announced that he wanted to review and improve cooperation between the Bundeswehr and the police. It is hoped that lessons will be learned from such incidents to avoid future misunderstandings and ensure the safety of all involved.