Prosecutors seek forced psychiatric treatment for man who fatally shot lawyer in Vilnius

Prosecutors have called for a 64-year-old man to undergo compulsory psychiatric treatment after he fatally shot a lawyer and wounded two police officers in central Vilnius in October 2024, LRT.lt reports.

The Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office has completed its pre-trial investigation into the case of I. M. (born 1962), who is accused of murdering a lawyer in a manner dangerous to others, attempted murder, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The prosecutor handling organised crime and corruption cases has referred the case to Vilnius Regional Court, recommending forced medical measures rather than criminal punishment.

According to the investigation, on the morning of 10 October 2024, I. M. used an illegally held TT pistol—a 1940 model—to shoot and kill a lawyer performing official duties in a residential building on Vasario 16-osios Street in Vilnius. During a forced eviction from his former wife’s apartment, he also fired at two police officers, wounding them, and attempted to kill a bailiff’s assistant, his ex-wife, and a law student interning with the police.

After firing multiple shots, I. M. barricaded himself in the apartment before being apprehended by officers from the police tactical unit Aras. Investigators confirmed he had no permit for the weapon or ammunition. Following his arrest, he was placed under medical supervision in specialised psychiatric facilities.

A court-ordered forensic psychiatric evaluation concluded that I. M. suffers from a chronic mental disorder that impaired his ability to understand the danger of his actions or control his behaviour at the time of the offence. Experts recommended compulsory inpatient treatment under strict supervision in a psychiatric institution.

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by officers from the Vilnius County Chief Police Commissariat’s Serious Crime Investigation Board.