According to security circles, the hijacker from Münsterplatz in Ulm initially had six people in his power on Friday night. This emerges from a situation report from the Ministry of the Interior. He then threw five. He threatened a hostage with a gun and demanded that he be shot by police.
The perpetrator was seriously injured by shots fired by emergency services and was taken to hospital. He underwent surgery there and is out of danger. The Baden-Württemberg State Criminal Police took over the investigation. The hostages remained unharmed.
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Reason is still unclear
According to police, the motive is still unclear. The suspect left the store on Münsterplatz with a hostage at around 8:20 pm to escape. That's when the police shot. “We assume that the perpetrator was armed and represented a significant danger,” said the public prosecutor. The suspect was likely in the Bundeswehr, according to security sources. He had several pistols and long guns with him.
Hostage taking on Friday night
According to police, the hostage taking began around 6:45 p.m. Authorities closed the central Münsterplatz in Ulm and the entrances there because of the operation.
Due to the use of firearms by the police, the Criminal Police Department of the State of Baden-Württemberg (LKA) is also involved in the investigation into the hostage taking at Ulm's Münsterplatz. This is common when the police shoot at people, explained a spokesman for the Ulm presidency. A special operations team was deployed. The spokesman was initially unable to say how many officers fired and how often.