Police Investigate Shooting Incident in Berlin-Kreuzberg; 37-Year-Old Hospitalized

Authorities in Berlin have launched an investigation after a 37-year-old man sustained injuries from multiple gunshots outside a venue in the Kreuzberg district. According to police reports, the incident occurred in the early morning hours when the individual exited a local bar. The attacker, whose identity remains unknown, reportedly fired several shots before fleeing the scene. Friends of the victim transported him to a hospital. Despite the severity of the incident, the injured man is not in a life-threatening condition.

The Berlin police have assigned a homicide unit to handle the case and are treating the incident as an attempted homicide. Specific motives and further details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation. Authorities have not yet apprehended any suspects, and inquiries into possible links to organized crime or personal disputes are ongoing.

This event is part of a concerning trend in Berlin, where recent weeks have seen a rise in gun-related violence in public spaces. In the current month alone, police have responded to seven separate incidents involving gunfire or threats of gun violence. Law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Criminal Police Office, have noted that Berlin continues to register a high number of firearm-related cases compared to other German cities.

Earlier in the month, a 45-year-old man was critically injured in a shooting on a supermarket parking lot in the Mariendorf district. The suspects in that case remain at large, with investigators suspecting an intent to kill. Additionally, another incident in Schöneberg saw two passengers wounded after their vehicle was shot at multiple times by unknown assailants. Both victims required medical treatment but survived their injuries.

The police union has expressed concern over the growing frequency of such violent acts, highlighting that disputes among criminal groups and private conflicts are increasingly being settled with firearms in public areas. According to police statistics, there have been 884 recorded incidents involving the use or threat of firearms so far this year, with at least 520 cases involving identified suspects. These figures encompass not only firearms but also other weapons such as blank-firing, irritant, and signal pistols. In some cases, even imitation weapons have resulted in police intervention if victims felt threatened.

Since the start of the year, a total of 179 individuals have been injured in incidents involving firearms or similar weapons, with injuries ranging from minor to severe. One fatality has been reported in connection with these events. The police emphasize that not all injuries are caused directly by firearms; some may result from related altercations or secondary effects of the incidents.

Authorities are urging witnesses or anyone with information about the Kreuzberg shooting to come forward to assist in their ongoing investigation. The police continue to prioritize efforts to combat gun violence and ensure the safety of residents and visitors in Berlin.