Swedish police shoot dead 20-year-old with Down Syndrome carrying a toy gun

Eric Torrell, from Stockholm, was acting 'threateningly' and had to be fired upon, officers said. Photo / Supplied

A 20-year-old man with Down's Syndrome has been shot dead by police after he ran away from home carrying a toy gun.

Eric Torrell, from Stockholm, was acting "threateningly" and had to be fired upon, officers said.

He had left his home with the plastic toy - which looked like a sub-machine gun, according to mother - before his family reported him missing, reports Daily Mail.

But at 4am, a witness heard gunshots, telling Expressen: "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."

By 5.45am on Thursday, he was declared dead after being shot by three officers.

His 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."

Police said they had responded to a 'threatening situation' in which a man was showing a gun to people in the area. Photo / Supplied

Police said they had responded to a "threatening situation" in which a man was showing a gun to people in the area.

His mother, Katarina Söderberg, said: "We are furious because of their lying and making up things. 'A threatening man?' He's like a three-year-old."

She added: "It's impossible to understand. He wouldn't hurt a fly. He's the kindest person in the world."

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 been launched into potential police misconduct.