Döner opening deal in Dortmund escalates into riots involving police unit
The opening of a döner kebab restaurant in Dortmund escalated into violence on Sunday. Hundreds of people, including many minors, attacked police officers with bottles, stones and pyrotechnics.
Döner opening escalates: police clash with rioters
According to spiegel.de, hundreds of people lost control at a döner kebab restaurant in Dortmund after the owner had advertised a bargain opening offer. On Sunday afternoon, approximately 300 people gathered in front of the shop – the owner himself spoke of over 1,000 people. A döner was to be available for one euro.
Although a security service had been engaged, the crowd began to move. The owner called the police himself. When officers arrived, they were pelted with bottles, stones, pyrotechnics, an e-scooter and a chair. A police car was damaged by stones. The police subsequently assembled additional forces, including a unit of riot police. A helicopter monitored the situation from the air.
Police president Tim Frommeyer sharply condemned the attacks. "Anyone who uses violence against officers is a criminal," he stated in a statement. He warned of a pattern: "Events and assemblies have been taken over for some time by people whose only aim is violence."
During a search of a person who refused to leave the area, officers found a blank-firing pistol. The police launched several criminal investigations for breach of the peace, criminal damage and insult. The owner's responsibility for the police operation is still being examined.
Source: Die Zeit Kriminalität