Police Shoot and Kill Gwangju Knife Attacker... Ruled as "Self-Defense"

"Knife attack within 1 meter... Shooting was inevitable"
Self-defense concluded based on CCTV and testimonies
Suspect deceased... No right of prosecution for obstruction of official duties

The actions of the police officer who fired live ammunition at the suspect during a stabbing rampage in downtown Gwangju have been deemed self-defense. The police have concluded the investigation without any criminal charges against the officer involved.

On the 27th, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency announced the closure of the investigation, stating that Inspector A from the Dongbu Police Station, who shot and killed a man in his 50s named B after he attacked officers with a weapon last month, was engaged in "legitimate official duty."

At around 3:10 a.m. on the 26th, Officer A was stabbed and collapsed by a weapon wielded by a man in his 50s, Mr. B, in an alley in Geumnamro, Dong-gu, Gwangju. Officer A used a firearm to subdue Mr. B, who was hit by a live bullet and transported to a university hospital but died around 4 a.m. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to the investigation, Inspector A repeatedly issued warnings and orders to surrender while being attacked by B, but B continued his deadly assault from a distance of less than one meter. The police explained, "Inspector A was in an urgent situation where he had to block the attack with one hand and use his firearm with the other," adding, "It was also difficult to aim precisely at a specific area."

Inspector A fired a total of three rounds, two of which struck B in the upper body. One bullet passed through, while another remained inside after damaging internal organs. The remaining shot missed the target.

The police reviewed CCTV footage from the scene, statements from those involved, firearm use manuals, and legal precedents, ultimately concluding that "the use of the firearm was unavoidable and within appropriate limits."

The case against B for obstruction of official duties resulting in serious injury was closed as "no right of prosecution" due to the suspect's death.

B died after being shot by Inspector A at around 3:10 a.m. on the 27th of last month, near Geumnamno 4-ga in Dong-gu, Gwangju, after brandishing a weapon at police officers who responded to a 112 emergency call.