Two Injured During Armed Robbery at Convenience Store in Berlin-Neukölln
An attempted robbery at a late-night convenience store on Sonnenallee in Berlin-Neukölln resulted in injuries to two individuals during the early hours of Sunday. According to police reports, two men entered the store at approximately 1 a.m., with one of them, an 18-year-old, brandishing a firearm and demanding cash from the 23-year-old store employee.
The employee refused to comply, leading to a physical altercation between him and the armed suspect. During the struggle, the weapon discharged, with the bullet striking the floor of the sales area and causing no further harm. The confrontation then moved outside onto the sidewalk, while the second suspect fled the scene towards Innstraße.
Two bystanders, both aged 27, intervened and managed to restrain the 18-year-old suspect until law enforcement arrived. Meanwhile, two female witnesses quickly notified the police about the incident. During the scuffle, the suspect allegedly used a knife, inflicting injuries to the thighs of both the store employee and one of the intervening bystanders. Both victims sustained lacerations and were transported to a hospital, where they received outpatient medical treatment.
The detained suspect was subsequently taken into custody and is expected to appear before a magistrate for the consideration of a detention order. The accomplice remains at large, and police have launched an investigation to locate the individual.
The Berlin police are continuing their inquiries into the circumstances of the attempted robbery, the use of both a firearm and a knife, and any possible connections to similar incidents in the area. Authorities are urging anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about violent crime in Berlin's urban districts, especially in late-night businesses that are frequently targeted by armed offenders. Police are expected to review security measures in the area and may offer additional support to local retailers to help prevent similar events in the future.