Bochum Police Shoot Deaf 12-Year-Old Girl, Mother Speaks Out
Police Shoot 12-Year-Old Girl in Bochum Amid Knife Incident; Mother Speaks Out
BOCHUM, Germany – A 12-year-old deaf girl was critically injured after being shot by police in Bochum, Germany, during an incident involving knives. The girl’s mother has since spoken out about the harrowing events, describing her daughter’s cries before police opened fire.
Mother Recounts Daughter’s Distress
The mother, who is also deaf, recounted the traumatic experience to RTL, stating that her daughter appeared at her side three times before the police intervention, saying, “I can’t bear this anymore.” The mother believes her daughter may have been trying to help her when she approached the officers with knives.
The girl had reportedly run away from her residential group following conflicts at school. Her mother suggested that her daughter’s actions might have stemmed from fear and concern for her mother.
Police Account of the Incident
According to a statement from the Essen police department, the officers were called to an apartment in Bochum-Hamme early Monday morning (November 17th) regarding a missing 12-year-old who is dependent on vital medication. The girl, who holds both German and Serbian citizenship, had not been seen by her caregivers since the previous day.
When officers arrived at the mother’s apartment, she initially did not open the door, though sounds were heard from within. While waiting for a locksmith, the mother, who is deaf, opened the door around 1:30 a.m. During the ensuing clarification and search of the apartment, police encountered the girl, who allegedly advanced towards the officers holding two knives.
To fend off the perceived threat, police reportedly deployed both a Taser (a distance electroshock device) and their service weapons simultaneously. Police stated that officers immediately administered first aid until emergency medical services arrived. The girl was transported to a nearby hospital, where she underwent surgery and remains in critical but stable condition.
Ongoing Investigation
A homicide squad from the Essen police, under the direction of the Bochum public prosecutor’s office, has taken over the investigation into the incident. Authorities are working to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the event.
In broader contexts, the use of electroshock devices like Tasers by law enforcement is a subject of ongoing debate and regulation in Germany. Recent directives, such as the “Guideline for the Equipment of the Police of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Geräterichtlinie Polizei NRW)” updated in January 2024, govern the procurement and use of such equipment by police forces in the region [recht.nrw.de]. The German federal police also utilize Tasers, with their deployment being permitted under specific conditions [bundesregierung.de]. Such incidents highlight the critical need for clear protocols and oversight in the use of force by law enforcement, particularly when vulnerable individuals are involved.
