The 46 - year - old man who was shot dead by special police forces in Berlin apparently had psychological problems , the spokesman for the Berlin Public Prosecutor ' s Office , Sebastian B chner , said on Sunday . On Saturday morning , the man allegedly threatened a 49 - year - old man with a firearm at a caravan site , officials said in a statement . The police and the public prosecutor ' s office said the 49 - year - old was unharmed and managed to drive away from the attacker and call the police . He then followed the 46 - year - old and saw him run into an apartment block , they said . The incident took place in an upper middle class neighbourhood of Berlin . The suspect did not open the door , so officers forced their way into the flat in the afternoon . The man then allegedly opened fire immediately with a gun , the statement said . Police forces returned fire , hitting the man fatally . A homicide squad is investigating the incident . dpa bum bes xxde mew wjh cro mlsSource: The Namibia News Agency