A hostage crisis that gripped a Berlin supermarket for over 11 hours ended on Saturday morning when German police stormed the premises to rescue a captive cashier. The operation, which took place at approximately 9:20 a.m., resulted in the arrest of the suspected attacker after officers subdued him with a Taser.
The ordeal began around 10 p.m. on Friday when the man allegedly entered the store and took the female employee hostage at knifepoint. While the exact relationship between the suspect and the victim remains unconfirmed, one staff member who was present during the initial incident described the encounter to Bild, stating that the attacker pulled a knife after refusing to place his goods on the conveyor belt at the checkout. Police have not yet independently verified this account.
As the standoff progressed throughout the night, the store was cordoned off. A police special forces unit, known as the SEK, was deployed to the scene, supported by ambulances, fire services, and multiple police vehicles. Throughout the operation, police negotiators maintained contact with the hostage-taker. Earlier in the morning, officers were seen using a ladder to peer into the building to assess the situation.
Other staff members who were inside the store when the incident first broke out were able to exit the building unharmed and were subsequently provided with support by emergency services. Authorities continue to investigate the details of the event as the situation is processed.
A supermarket cashier had been held by a man for around 11 hours and 20 minutes. Eyewitnesses say he allegedly threatened the woman with a knife and held her captive after entering the store at around 10 p.m. on Friday.
