German police shoot, critically injure 12-year-old deaf girl
German authorities said Monday that police officers shot and seriously wounded a 12-year-old deaf girl who approached them holding two knives during a welfare check at her mother’s apartment.
According to AA, the girl — a dual German and Serbian national — had left a group care facility where she was under state custody, Essen police said in a statement. Officers were sent to bring her back because she required vital medication that she may not have taken for an extended period.
Police said the girl’s mother, who is also hearing-impaired, initially did not open the door despite repeated knocking. A locksmith was called, but before he arrived, she eventually opened the door around 1:30 a.m.
While searching the apartment, officers encountered the 12-year-old holding two knives and walking toward them. Police said they deployed both a taser and firearms at the same time to prevent what they perceived as a possible attack.
The girl was critically injured and taken to a hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. Authorities reported that her condition remains critical but is no longer worsening.
The incident has triggered widespread debate on social media regarding police violence, the use of force against minors, and protocols involving vulnerable individuals. Critics have questioned whether officers had adequate information and why specialized crisis intervention teams were not dispatched instead of regular patrol units.
