In February 2010, Hans Gerhard Harrer, a 54-year-old European-American/White male, died in a confrontation with law enforcement at his home in Camp Springs, Maryland. The incident unfolded when Prince George's County police were in his neighborhood investigating the death of a man found in the back of a box truck. It is believed the man had been sleeping in the truck to escape inclement weather, and his death was not considered to be the result of a crime.
As part of their investigation,
officers went door-to-door to gather information from residents, which led them to Harrer's home on Coolridge Road. During their interaction with him, authorities reported that Harrer became irrational, retrieved a shotgun, and then barricaded himself inside his house. This action prompted the patrol officers to take cover, establish a perimeter around the home, and call for the assistance of the conflict management team to handle the developing barricade situation.
After attempts by the conflict management team to communicate with Harrer and negotiate a peaceful surrender were unsuccessful, the department's emergency services team decided to make entry into the residence. Upon entering, they encountered Harrer, who still refused to surrender. According to police, Harrer pointed his shotgun at the team, which resulted in a member of the emergency services team firing their service weapon, fatally injuring him. The shooting remained under investigation by the police.
