A 20-year-old autistic man in central Stockholm was shot and killed by Swedish police officers on Thursday after he was found walking around the city with a toy gun.
Eric Torrell was wondering around the Vasatan district in the city when the police received a call about a man walking around with what appeared to be a gun. Several officers rushed to the scene and deciding that the situation was "threatening" shot Torrell in the stomach.
The police said that they approached Torrell and asked him to put down the weapon, and only shot him when he refused to comply.
Torrell's family told a local newspaper Expressen that he had Downs syndrome and autism, rendering him effectively nonverbal. Torrell's mother Katarina Soderberg said: "We are furious because of their lying and making up things. A threatening man'? He's like a 3-year-old."
The family said he ran away from home with the toy gun in the middle of the night. The family said this was common for Torrell, but he would always return home. They denied allegations that Torrell was threatening people with the gun, saying he is "the world's sweetest and most lovable person."
The case is currently being looked into by prosecutor Martin Tiden, who has so far ruled out foul play in the firing. In a statement, he said: "The man held a weapon-like object, and officers opened fire after judging the situation as threatening." A case of police misconduct is currently being investigated.
The police have issued a statement, calling the death "very tragic for everyone involved." Regional Chief of Police, Ulf Johansson said: "I still want to mention, from experience, that very difficult decisions in unclear and high-pressure situations must sometimes be taken in one or a few seconds."
This is the sixth incident of fatal police shootings in Sweden this year, as per Swedish Public Radio.
