Exchange of fire in Erding: Investigation after a breakdown between the police and the Bundeswehr

Exchange of fire in Erding: Investigation after a breakdown between the police and the Bundeswehr

In a dramatic situation that took place on October 22nd in Erding, Bavaria, there was an exchange of fire between police and soldiers during a major Bundeswehr exercise. The Landshut public prosecutor's office has now initiated an investigation into attempted murder against three police officers. This was triggered by a complaint from two lawyers, like BR.de reported.

The incident occurred when residents noticed an armed man and heard gunshots. They then called the police, who initially suspected it might be a real threat. The officers who were alerted were not informed about the exercise, which led to considerable misunderstandings. The police asked the Bundeswehr's Feldjäger Regiment whether the incident was part of the “Marshal Power” exercise, whereupon this was answered in the negative. This exercise, which involved approximately 500 soldiers and 300 civilian responders, took place from October 22 to 29 and simulated defense cases and critical infrastructure protection, according to a report Tagesschau.de is explained.

Consequences for those involved

A Bundeswehr sergeant was slightly injured in the face as a result of the exchange of fire. He was taken to hospital and was able to leave the same evening. Despite the incident, the exercise will continue, although the cooperation between the police and the Bundeswehr will be examined more closely in the future. The Bundeswehr Association emphasizes the need to improve the communication structures between the two institutions, as it was already communicated that the municipalities were informed in September about the basic procedure, but not about the specific procedures of the exercise.

The district administrator of Erding, Martin Bayerstorfer, was critical and described the communication problems between the police and the Bundeswehr as an “absolute catastrophe”. This highlights the challenges that can arise in such complex scenarios. NADR.de points out that the police responded with strong forces, including a helicopter, while the Bundeswehr used training ammunition due to the nature of the exercise.

Communication breakdowns and their effects

The situation raises serious questions about communication and cooperation between military and civilian security forces. The incident was met with concern by several residents as they were uninformed about the exercise. Investigations into the exact circumstances of the incident are ongoing both within the Bundeswehr and with external authorities, as there are also reports about the need for constant communication channels and advance information to all parties involved.

What it will look like if the police and military operate together in the future remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the incident in Erding will mean that both sides urgently need to rethink and improve their cooperation in order to avoid further misunderstandings and dangerous situations.