Police Investigate Multiple Shootings Across Berlin Districts, One Injured
Berlin authorities have launched investigations following a series of shootings that occurred in the districts of Kreuzberg and Tegel. A 34-year-old man sustained a leg injury after being shot in the Böcklerpark area of Kreuzberg late Saturday night. Police and prosecutors confirmed that the victim, who was approached by an unidentified individual before being shot, was transported to a hospital. Officials stated that the man is not in life-threatening condition.
According to initial reports, the suspect fled the scene immediately after firing several shots. The case has been assigned to the homicide division, which is currently examining the details and possible motives behind the incident, including potential links to recent violent confrontations in the area.
On the same night, residents in Berlin-Tegel contacted police after gunshots were heard around 9:30 p.m. Shots were reportedly fired at a residential building, but no injuries were reported. The perpetrator or perpetrators are believed to have escaped in a vehicle. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, with police seeking information from potential witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage where available.
These events follow a pattern of armed violence in Berlin over recent weeks. On Friday evening, two men were injured by gunfire outside a takeaway restaurant in the Fennpfuhl area of Lichtenberg, one of whom remains in critical condition. The attackers in this case are still at large.
Earlier incidents include a shooting in Staaken, Spandau, where a 27-year-old was approached by three individuals posing as police officers. Upon following their instructions to exit his vehicle, the victim was shot in the leg, and the assailants promptly fled the scene. Likewise, a separate shooting occurred in Kreuzberg when a 37-year-old man was wounded after leaving a bar, and an attack in Zehlendorf saw gunfire directed at a convicted drug dealer's car outside a correctional facility, resulting in injuries and vehicle damage.
Authorities have also reported a shooting on a supermarket parking lot in Mariendorf, where a 45-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries and required emergency surgery. Investigators suspect that many of these cases may be connected to ongoing disputes between organized groups over territorial control, particularly involving the illegal narcotics trade.
In response to the escalating violence, Berlin police leadership and city officials have announced stricter measures to combat gun-related crimes. The police force has increased its presence and intensified investigations, deploying up to 100 specially trained officers from tactical units and the State Criminal Police Office. These teams are focused on disrupting criminal networks, monitoring high-risk locations, and intervening promptly in cases of armed conflict.
The city's comprehensive strategy includes efforts to reduce the availability of illegal firearms and the expansion of weapons and knife prohibition zones in public spaces. Early indications suggest some progress in restricting access to illegal weapons, though authorities emphasize the ongoing need for vigilance and public cooperation.
Berlin officials have reiterated their commitment to tackling the recent surge in armed violence, highlighting the importance of dismantling criminal organizations and enhancing public safety across the city's districts.