Police fire warning shots after man points toy gun at officers

A 55-year-old man allegedly pointed a gun at police during a check in Dachau on Monday afternoon. Officers fired warning shots and arrested him before discovering the weapon was a realistic-looking toy gun, BR reported.

Police said the man’s relatives called them at about 5 p.m. after he left his home carrying a weapon. Officers found him nearby and tried to search him. He allegedly pulled what appeared to be a firearm from his waistband and pointed it at them.

Officers said they repeatedly ordered him to put the weapon down, but he continued pointing it at them. They fired several warning shots, then managed to take the weapon from him and restrain him. One officer and the man were slightly injured, and the man was treated by emergency medical staff.

A search found two toy guns and a knife, which police seized. The man, a Greek national, had a blood sample taken on prosecutors’ orders. Police said he was taken to a psychiatric hospital after their procedures because of an ongoing acute risk to others.

Police are asking witnesses, including anyone with video footage of the incident, to come forward.

The incident follows several recent cases in Bavaria involving realistic-looking imitation weapons. In August, officers shot a 14-year-old in the upper body in Schwabing while he was handling an airsoft pistol. Soon afterwards, two men carrying toy guns through central Würzburg prompted a major police response. In early September, a 13-year-old aimed a toy gun at passing cars at Dingolfing railway station.

BR reported that toy weapons must be clearly distinguishable from real firearms, for example through a noticeably different size or neon-coloured materials. Carrying an imitation firearm in public is an administrative offence and can result in a fine of up to 10,000 euros.