One hurt after police fire gunshot at disturbed person in Tiel early Wednesday
A police officer fired at least one gunshot when responding to an incident at a home in Tiel where a disturbed person was allegedly waving a knife. That individual was injured early Wednesday morning, though it was not immediately clear if they suffered a gunshot wound.
Records show an ambulance was dispatched to the residence on Lutterveldweg just before 5:30 a.m., and a trauma team was sent to the area by helicopter. A front window of the home was shattered, with broken glass scattered on the bricks outside. Many emergency services workers were still on site in the Gelderland town an hour later, police said.
They were responding to "a report of a person exhibiting erratic behavior who was supposedly acting threateningly with a knife," police said. "During this incident, a colleague fired a shot. The person has been transported to the hospital."
Although an early headline in local newspaper De Gelderlander suggested the officer shot the disturbed person, a police representative contacted by ANP could not confirm whether the officer involved fired a targeted gunshot, and if a bullet from the officer's gun struck the individual.
She also would not provide context to the incident, nor could she explain what police meant by "erratic behavior." Police have not yet revealed biographical details about the wounded person, such as their age, gender, and place of residence. Authorities have not stated whether the injured person is a suspect in a crime, and if they were under arrest.
The case has been referred to the Rijksrecherche, an independent body organized under the Public Prosecution Service (OM). The department is typically brought in to investigate cases where the use of force by a police officer leads to an injury.
Once their investigation is complete, the Rijksrecherche turns over their findings to prosecutors. The OM can then decide whether to press charges against any officers involved if they did not follow strict departmental guidelines regarding the use of force, and discharging a weapon.
