The incident dates back to five years ago when the then 23-year-old ex-police officer shot at a motorist in Bonnevoie who resisted a police stop. Initially, the accused officer was handed a five-year prison sentence, with three years suspended. The central question during the trial revolved around whether the shooting could be deemed an act of self-defence.
The events unfolded on 11 April 2018, when the driver, despite police orders to stop, continued driving towards the police officer. In response, the officer, who had exited his police car, aimed at the driver and fired three shots. One of the bullets struck the then 51-year-old Dutchman, resulting in a fatal outcome.
In the appeal proceedings, the claims made by the civil parties were also dismissed.
The ex-police officer’s defence lawyer, Philippe Penning, revealed that his client had chosen to leave the police service due to a perceived lack of support from the hierarchy. The acquitted individual has since found employment in “another state institution.”
