Man escapes psychiatric hospital in Klaipėda and injures police officer

A man who had left a psychiatric hospital without authorisation injured a police officer in Klaipėda before dying less than an hour later, police reported on Friday.

The incident occurred on Malūno Tvenkinio Street shortly before noon, according to a statement by the Lithuanian Police Department. A 53-year-old man, who had left the psychiatric facility, struck a 35-year-old female officer with a stick during an attempt to detain him. The officer received medical treatment and is recovering at home.

The detained man died in an ambulance at approximately 12:45 PM. Authorities have launched a pre-trial investigation to determine the cause of death and the circumstances of his resistance against the officer.

Police used an electro-shock device during the detention, Ramūnas Matonis, a spokesperson for the Police Department, told ELTA. “An electro-shock device was deployed, and [the man] struck the officer over the head with a stick,” Matonis said.