Prosecutors find Kaunas man acted in self-defence in fatal shooting

A man who shot and killed an intruder in Kaunas acted in self-defence and will not face murder charges, prosecutors said, according to LRT. A court has upheld the decision to end the murder investigation.

The investigation began after police were told at 6.30am on January 2 that a man born in 1980 had been found injured on Endriejavo Street in Kaunas. He was taken to hospital but died from a gunshot wound.

Investigators found that M.S. had illegally obtained a homemade pistol modified to fire 12-gauge hunting cartridges. He fired one shot at the man after strangers entered his home at night with their faces covered. The man who was killed was holding a metal rod, throwing objects at M.S. and moving towards him, posing a real danger to his health, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said M.S.’s actions showed signs of a criminal offence, but the evidence established that he acted under the conditions of necessary self-defence. The decision to discontinue the murder investigation was upheld by a final, unappealable ruling of the Kaunas Regional Court.

The investigation also found that M.S. kept electronic scales and 0.041 grams of a substance containing cocaine at home, without intending to sell or distribute it. He faces charges of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, and possessing narcotic substances without intent to distribute them.

A forensic psychiatric and psychological assessment found that M.S. had a mental disorder when he committed the alleged offences and could not understand their danger or control his actions. Specialists said he needed compulsory treatment. The case has been sent to court, which will decide whether to order treatment.