Black balloons for Lorenz: Memorial event in Oldenburg ignites emotions

Black balloons for Lorenz: Memorial event in Oldenburg ignites emotions

Oldenburg, Deutschland - On May 11, 2025, a rally took place in Oldenburg to commemorate the 21-year-old Lorenz. Numerous people gathered to celebrate the life of the young man and to ask for a complete clarification of the incident. According to police estimates, around 500 people took part in the rally, while the organizers of the "Justice for Lorenz" initiative reported around 1,000 participants. On this day Lorenz would have been 22 years old; His friends let black balloons climb in memory of him with the inscription "Lorenz".

The tragedy occurred on Easter Sunday night when Lorenz was shot by a 27-year-old police officer in the Oldenburg pedestrian zone. According to reports, Lorenz had previously triggered an incident in a discotheque in which he sprayed irritant in the direction of two security employees. When Lorenz threatened and fled with a knife, this led to a persecution by security forces and later by the police. The policeman who gave up the shots is currently being investigated for homicide while he has been suspended from the service. His statements and those of the patrol partner are in focus, since they have to confirm whether Lorenz was an immediate threat.

unexplained background and allegations of racism

The exact background of the incident are still unclear. A knife was ensured by Lorenz, which led to initial confusion. The investigation focuses on whether he actually threatened the police with the knife and why the shots met him from behind. The use of firearms in Germany is considered the “last remedy” of danger defense, although the use of pepper spray does not justify the shot.

allegations of racism have gained sharpness on social networks after Lorenz ‘death caused dismay. The “Justice for Lorenz” initiative also expressed fears that a racist background for the shot must be considered. Nevertheless, the head of unit in the Ministry of Justice sees no indications of racist motivation. This raises questions about the police and investigative work, which is already made more difficult by the fact that the police officers' bodycams were eliminated at the time of use.

social debate about police violence

The case of Lorenz is not isolated; He reflects a broader debate about police violence in Germany. Since the George Floyd case in the United States, police violence has been increasingly the public focus. A comprehensive study by the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main defines police force as inappropriate physical use of violence and demands extensive reforms within the police.

The causes of police violence are described in many ways and include stress, overwhelming and poor communication. The study recommends improving sensitization within the police and a transparent recording of police force in order to strengthen the trust of the population in the law enforcement officers. Dealing with incidents such as that of Lorenz could make a decisive contribution to finding solutions and restoring the security sense of the citizens.