Shots fired in bar in Berlin-Baumschulenweg: 40-year-old injured, investigations underway

No other people were injured according to the current state of knowledge, as police and the public prosecutor's office further stated. „Weitere Menschen wurden nach derzeitigem Kenntnisstand nicht verletten, wie Polizei und Staatsanwaltschaft weiter mitteilten." The exact background of the crime is still unclear. There is also no confirmed information yet on the relationship between perpetrator and victim or on a possible motive.

Operation and initial investigation steps

The criminal police have taken over the investigations. Given the described course of events, an investigation is being conducted on suspicion of an attempted homicide, the investigating authorities said. The Landeskriminalamt (LKA) is involved in evaluating the crime scene and the evidence, according to security sources.

The shots in the Treptow district triggered a larger police operation in the evening. Rescue services were on site; the injured person received medical treatment and was taken to a hospital. The bar in Baumschulenweg was temporarily cordoned off after the crime; officers secured evidence and questioned possible witnesses.

Background: Incidents of violence in Berlin

In recent weeks, there had already been repeated incidents involving gun violence in Berlin. The cases ranged from altercations in private settings to disputes in public spaces. The current incident is part of a series of violent crimes that are occupying the security authorities in the capital.

The Baumschulenweg district is located in the borough of Treptow-Köpenick in southeast Berlin. The surrounding area includes both residential neighborhoods as well as restaurants and smaller shops. The exact location of the bar, as well as possible video-surveyed areas, could provide insights into the course of the crime, according to investigators.

Information for the police

The Berlin police have set up a dedicated phone line for tips from the public. Witnesses who observed the incident or can provide other relevant information are asked to contact the responsible office or via the police emergency number. Anonymity would be guaranteed, it was said.

The public prosecutor's office is reviewing whether the suspected shooter could still be arrested in the vicinity of the crime scene. According to previous information, the search and investigative measures are ongoing. The authorities did not want to estimate when initial reliable results could be expected.

No further details were initially known about the victim's state of health. The question of whether there is danger to life also remained open on Wednesday. The investigators announced that further details would be released during the course of the day as soon as they were confirmed.

In light of the nationwide debate on safety in major cities and the handling of gun crimes, the case is being closely monitored in Berlin. Interior policy spokespeople for several parliamentary groups in the Abgeordnetenhaus demanded a swift clarification. The Bezirksverordnetenversammlung of Treptow-Köpenick is also expected to address the incident.

The police pointed out that speculation about the background and possible links to other incidents could harm the ongoing investigations. People are therefore asked to consider only information from official statements, a spokesperson said. Further press conferences have been announced for the coming days.