The June 25, 2023, shooting of an American soldier at the Smith Barracks gate in Baumholder by a private security guard was likely an act of self-defense, according to German public prosecutors. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The June shooting of a U.S. soldier by a gate security guard at Smith Barracks in Baumholder appears to have been an act of self-defense, state prosecutors in Rheinland-Pfalz have initially determined.
The preliminary findings of an investigation have cleared the Pond Security Service employee who fired on the soldier of wrongful use of her duty firearm, prosecutors in Bad Kreuznach told German public broadcaster SWR on Tuesday.
“We’re supportive of the finding of the public prosecutor’s office,” Lena Ehrhardt, a spokeswoman for Pond Security in Erlensee, said Wednesday. “Our employees acted prudently. … Their professional actions in this difficult situation prevented a worse outcome and ensured the safety of all parties."
The soldier’s girlfriend sought help from the security personnel at the base’s main entrance June 25 after a domestic dispute, according to a prosecutor’s office spokesman.
The 23-year-old soldier, who is assigned to the 16th Sustainment Brigade, is believed to have attacked her in their shared apartment and followed her to the gate, prosecutors told SWR.
He ignored the guards’ instructions and acted aggressively toward them, local police reported June 26. His name has not been released in accordance with German privacy laws.
The guards drew their batons and fired a warning shot, but when the soldier reached for one of their weapons, she shot the soldier in the thigh.
On Tuesday, prosecutors said the bullet went cleanly through the soldier’s leg, indicating that the injury is not expected to cause lasting damage.
The soldier was transferred by ambulance to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and left the following day, according to German and U.S. officials.
"According to the provisions of the supplementary agreement to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, the soldier is likely to be primarily subject to the U.S. military jurisdiction, so that the local proceedings will probably be handed over to them in due course," Gerd Deutschler, Bad Kreuznach chief public prosecutor, said June 26.
The military inquiry into the soldier’s actions is being conducted by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, which has declined to comment on the investigation while it remains open.
The German investigation into the shooting is still considered active, and state prosecutors have not yet reached an official conclusion, Deutschler said Wednesday.
Baumholder is located 45 minutes north of Kaiserslautern and is home to approximately 6,000 U.S. soldiers and civilian personnel of the 16th Sustainment Brigade, the 421st Medical Battalion-Multifunctional and supporting units.
