Car ploughs into crowd near Hanover: man arrested, one victim in critical condition
A man has been arrested after his vehicle ploughed into a group of people in Ronnenberg-Empelde on Wednesday evening. Three people were injured, with a 20-year-old in critical condition.
Car ploughs into crowd – murder squad investigates
Following the vehicle attack in Ronnenberg-Empelde, the suspect turned himself in at a police station in Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, in the early hours of Thursday morning. According to ndr.de, he was immediately taken into provisional custody. Hanover police directorate applied for a remand warrant. His Chevrolet SUV was seized, and a specially established murder squad took over the investigation into attempted manslaughter.
At around 10 p.m. on Wednesday evening, the vehicle drove at high speed into a large group of people on the street "Am Sportpark". A 20-year-old is in critical condition, a 19-year-old suffered serious injuries, and another 19-year-old sustained minor wounds. Police believe the act was intentional.
According to initial findings, there was an argument between those involved before the incident. Police initially provided no further details. A cartridge case was found at the scene; whether this is connected to the attack is still being investigated. On Thursday afternoon, police searched the surrounding area with a drone.
The authorities currently see no connection to a similar incident two weeks ago in Neustadt am Rübenberge, in which a car also drove into a crowd of people. There had also been "no links to organised crime gangs" so far, said Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD). In both cases, she said, there had been "brutal escalation following violent altercations". Using a car as a weapon against crowds of people contradicted a civilised society.
Police stated there was no danger to the public. Officers are present in increased numbers in Empelde and the surrounding area. Hanover's criminal duty service is accepting information on (0511) 109 55 55.
Source: Die Zeit Kriminalität