A 60-year-old suspect has been taken into custody following a deadly shooting in the village of Berngau, located in Germany's Upper Palatinate region. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, at approximately 2:00 pm, when local residents reported hearing gunfire to the police.
According to preliminary information, the violence erupted during a routine firearms inspection conducted by two employees of the Neumarkt District Office. The officials were reportedly in the process of checking the man when they were shot and killed. Following the incident, the suspect barricaded himself inside a building, prompting a major police response.
Special forces surrounded the site and attempted to negotiate a non-violent solution, but these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. By 2:20 am the following morning, officers stormed the building using explosives. During the raid, the suspect was shot in the leg and sustained minor injuries. He is currently receiving medical treatment under police supervision.
In the aftermath of the shooting, authorities had urged residents in the immediate vicinity and the wider area to remain indoors. While the situation has since been brought under control, the local community remains affected; Berngau, a municipality of approximately 2,600 residents, has seen the cancellation of club meetings and training sessions.
Thomas Meier, the mayor of Berngau, noted that the mood among local residents remains calm. He praised the solidarity shown by the community, highlighting how well-connected residents have been through social media and messaging applications during the crisis.
