A 20-year-old man with Down's syndrome and autism has been shot dead by police officers after he ran away from home carrying a toy gun.
Officers claimed that Eric Torrell, from Stockholm, Sweden, was acting 'threateningly' and had to be fired upon.
The MailOnline reported that the young man had left his home with the plastic toy - which looked like a sub-machine gun, according to his mother - before his family reported him missing.
But a witness told Expressen that by 4am on Thursday morning they heard gunshots.
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The anonymous neighbour said: "When I looked out I saw policemen. They shouted that someone should lay down his weapon and lie on the ground.
"Then more police arrived and also an ambulance."
And by 5:45 that same morning, Eric was declared dead after being shot by three officers.
Eric's father, Rickard, said: "I woke up because Eric was gone. I went out and looked for him. I saw police cars on the street. Three police officers shot him in his stomach."
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According to the Expressen, Eric fleeing his home was not an unusual occurrence, but something he had done several times in the past only this time he took a plastic toy gun with him.
His mum, Katarina Söderberg, explained: "He got it as a gift. It looked a bit like a sub-machine gun. Until now it was just thrown in a pile of toys."
Comparing Eric to a child, Katarina said: "We are furious because of their lying and making up things. 'A threatening man'? He's like a three-year-old. It's impossible to understand. He wouldn't hurt a fly. He's the kindest person in the world."
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Eric was diagnosed with Down's syndrome and autism and could not speak, Katarina added. She said he was given the gun as a gift but had not used it until now.
An investigation has now opened into the possibility of police misconduct, but is yet to give further comments on the case.
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