Lithuania’s Supreme Court reviews officer’s fatal shooting case, ruling expected in May
Lithuania’s Supreme Court has begun reviewing the controversial case of police officer Darius Šerpytis, who was acquitted of murder and abuse of power charges after fatally shooting a mentally ill woman in 2023, LRT reports. A final ruling is expected on May 26.
Dozens of uniformed officers attended the hearing in a show of support for Šerpytis, who was tried for exceeding his authority and unjustified use of force. The case stems from a December 2023 incident in Baraškų village, where Šerpytis shot a 51-year-old woman with a history of mental illness after she attacked officers with a large knife. Non-lethal measures—including pepper spray and a Taser—had failed to subdue her.
Prosecutor Gintas Ivanauskas argued that officers mishandled the situation, questioning whether lethal force was necessary. He claimed police acted recklessly by breaking down the woman’s door and relying on physical force rather than de-escalation. The prosecution, alongside lawyers for the victim’s adult sons, has called for the Supreme Court to overturn the acquittal and send the case back to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration.
Šerpytis’ defense attorney, Romualdas Drakšas, dismissed the prosecutor’s arguments as “declarative,” insisting the officer acted in lawful self-defense. “Any person faced with an armed, aggressive individual suffering from mental illness—who had already attacked medics—would reasonably fear for their life and respond accordingly,” Drakšas stated. He warned that convicting Šerpytis would undermine police effectiveness, asking rhetorically: “Do we want officers to become clowns or to act decisively?”
Addressing the court, Šerpytis maintained he would make the same choice today. “I had two options: turn and run, risking a knife in my back, or defend myself,” he said. The woman had earlier assaulted paramedics and damaged an ambulance with a chisel before lunging at officers with the knife. After multiple non-lethal attempts failed, Šerpytis fired several shots at her limbs before delivering the fatal shot.
The case has polarized public opinion, with police unions arguing Šerpytis acted within protocol, while critics—including human rights groups—question the use of lethal force against a mentally ill person. Lower courts had previously acquitted the officer, citing justifiable self-defense under life-threatening circumstances.