Man armed with illegal firearm shot dead by Aras unit officers in Anykščiai district

Officers from Lithuania’s Aras counter-terrorism unit fatally shot a man who opened fire on them in Anykščiai district, the Police Department reported on Monday.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening in Sviesteliškis village, where a 73-year-old man, in illegal possession of a firearm, threatened relatives in a courtyard. When local police arrived, the man refused to comply with orders to drop the weapon, prompting the deployment of the Aras unit.

Upon the unit’s arrival, the man pointed his firearm at the officers and fired. The Aras officers returned fire, killing the man. No officers were injured. A pre-trial investigation has been launched.