A 32-year-old man from Struer faces serious weapons charges after allegedly trying to seize a police officer's firearm at a Danish hospital. The incident occurred in late July at Regionshospitalet Gødstrup near Herning in central Jutland.
Police were called to the hospital when the man refused staff requests to leave the premises. The situation escalated dramatically when he allegedly grabbed the officer's service weapon.
According to court documents, the man attempted to take possession of the pistol but failed when the officer pushed him away. The prosecution has charged him under Denmark's penal code for weapons possession under aggravating circumstances.
This specific charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years imprisonment. The maximum penalty could reach eight years, though prosecutors are limited to seeking six years in this case.
Police Commissioner Erik Kristensen from Herning Police described the seriousness of the incident. He said in a statement that such attacks on officers are rare but treated with utmost seriousness. The safety of both police and citizens is at stake in these situations.
The incident occurred on the morning of July 29 when police responded to a call about an uncooperative individual at the hospital. What began as a routine call quickly turned dangerous when the physical altercation over the weapon occurred.
Danish weapon laws treat possession of firearms in publicly accessible places as an aggravating factor. This provision is specifically mentioned in the charging documents against the 32-year-old.
The case will be heard next week in Herning Court. The man has denied the charges against him.
This incident highlights the risks police officers face even in seemingly routine situations. Hospital settings can present unique challenges where medical crises and law enforcement duties intersect unpredictably.