Germany: Gunman holds two children hostage – Officer injured
An armed man is holding two children hostage in Dortmund, Germany after threatening restaurant customers, injuring a police officer during a chase, and barricading himself in a residence.
German authorities in Dortmund have been placed on high alert, where an armed man is holding two young children hostage in a residence in the Höchsten district.
Earlier, he caused an incident at a restaurant in the city, threatening customers and using pepper spray. He then fled by car. During the police chase, he fired from the vehicle with a small-caliber weapon and injured a police officer. The injured officer was wearing a bulletproof vest and, according to initial assessments, sustained minor injuries.
“Threat situation” in the area
As WDR reports, police are characterizing the incident as a “threat situation” in the Höchsten district of Dortmund.
Strong forces have cordoned off the area around the residence where the perpetrator has barricaded himself. According to information from the German newspaper Bild, the man grabbed the two children after the shooting and broke into a house, where he remains barricaded.
Authorities have not yet provided details about the perpetrator’s identity or the condition of the two young hostages. The operation continues at an intensive pace. The incident is still ongoing and information remains limited.
