Homicide in Lampenberg BL – “A young man shot his father – that is very rare”

On Monday evening, a 54-year-old man was shot in his house in Lampenberg in the canton of Baselland. His 23-year-old son was arrested on Tuesday after he had initially fled. The case is untypical for the renowned violence researcher Dirk Baier.

“Domestic violence and homicide are a sad reality in Switzerland too and affect women above all,” says violence researcher Dirk Baier about 20 minutes. “A young man shot his father – that is very rare,” said Baier about the findings so far. The prosecutor is investigating a homicide. The investigation will have to show what exactly happened that evening in the single-family home in the Basel-based rural community.

That is why Baier does not want to commit himself, also because, due to the rarity of the situation, no typical causes have been researched. “One explanation could be that the perpetrator suffered from a mental illness,” said the researcher. A form of schizophrenia that is accompanied by fantasies and willingness to use violence can, in extreme cases, result in such an act. “Another explanation can be that a son suffers greatly from his father’s dominance,” Baier continues. Then such an act is “a kind of liberation from an offensive, humiliating relationship”. However, he does not know enough details for a solid assessment of the specific case.

The police believe that the 54-year-old died of a gunshot wound. It is still unclear whether the murder weapon was found at the scene or whether the suspect had it with him when he was arrested. An army assault rifle or – according to unconfirmed statements from the surrounding area – a pistol could have been available to the military archer. The 23-year-old was considered a gun fanatic and was an accomplished field shooter.

The connection between the availability of firearms and homicides and suicides, especially in the domestic context, has been scientifically proven. For example, the Federal Statistical Office states: “Firearms are used relatively rarely – but where they are used, the risk of death for victims is higher than with other weapons.”

Would the killing have occurred even if there had been no firearm in the house? There is definitely no answer to that. Baier states: “The availability of firearms can play a beneficial role. If none are available, a homicide can be committed at any time by other means. ” He refers to a study by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). According to this, every sixth homicide victim is shot at home. Much more often, however, knives or brute force are used. However, if firearms are used, this results in more completed homicides and fewer attempts. But Baier states: “Firearms are not to blame for the deadly violence, but always the people who use the weapons.”

According to Baier, according to a representative survey, there is a live firearm in every fourth household, but there is “very little gun violence”. He comes to the conclusion that the Swiss population is very well aware of the dangers posed by firearms – except in the area of ​​suicide. It is true that fewer and fewer people are killing themselves in Switzerland, but around 200 suicides with firearms each year prompt Baier to demand greater commitment in this area.