No Bodycam Footage Available After Police Shooting of Deaf Twelve-Year-Old in Bochum

Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia have confirmed that there are no body camera recordings from a recent police operation in Bochum, during which a twelve-year-old deaf girl was critically injured by a police firearm. The incident occurred when police officers responded to the residence of the girl's mother to provide access to essential medication for the child, who suffers from a serious medical condition.

The police intervention was prompted after the girl, who had been reported missing from her residential care group in Münster, was located at her mother's home in Bochum. Due to the girl's dependence on vital medication, officers arrived during the night to ensure her health and safety.

According to official statements, the situation escalated when the girl allegedly confronted the officers with two knives. Law enforcement reports indicate that as the officers approached, the girl advanced towards them, prompting one officer to discharge his service weapon. The shot struck the child in the abdomen, resulting in life-threatening injuries that required emergency medical intervention. The girl's mother was restrained with handcuffs prior to the shooting.

Investigators have noted that both the girl and her mother are deaf, which may have complicated communication during the high-stress encounter. Police have acknowledged that the absence of a sign language interpreter at the scene could have contributed to misunderstandings. An internal review has been initiated to determine what, if any, attempts were made to communicate effectively with the two deaf individuals prior to the incident.

While body-worn cameras are standard equipment for officers in North Rhine-Westphalia, their use is subject to specific protocols. Bodycams must be manually activated by police personnel, and current regulations generally restrict their operation within private residences unless a clear and immediate threat is perceived. In this case, authorities have stated that the officers did not anticipate a dangerous situation prior to entering the home, and therefore did not activate their cameras.

The lack of visual evidence from body cameras has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the police response. Law enforcement agencies and the regional interior ministry have emphasized that the primary purpose of the officers' visit was to safeguard the girl's health by providing access to her medication, not to address a criminal threat.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with particular attention being paid to the chain of events that led to the use of lethal force, the communication challenges faced by the officers, and adherence to established protocols regarding body camera usage. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to a thorough and impartial review to ascertain the facts and determine any necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

This incident has sparked a broader discussion about police procedures in situations involving individuals with disabilities, especially regarding communication and the use of force. Advocacy groups and policymakers are calling for updated training and clearer guidelines to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations during police interventions.