Shots fired at bar in Cologne-Ostheim – murder squad investigates possible links to earlier incidents
At least five shots were fired at a Turkish bar in Cologne-Ostheim on Saturday morning. Police are searching for two fugitive men.
Fresh shooting at hospitality venue in Cologne – murder squad investigating
DER SPIEGEL (Justice & Crime) reports that at least five shots were fired at a bar in the Cologne district of Ostheim on Saturday morning. A bullet hole in the venue's window – according to WDR, a Turkish bar – confirms the attack. A person was in the establishment at the time of the incident but remained uninjured, Cologne police and prosecutors said.
Residents observed a man firing multiple shots at the bar around seven o'clock and subsequently getting into a dark compact car as a passenger. The vehicle fled in the direction of Vingst. Police have since been searching for two men suspected of involvement.
"A murder squad has in the meantime taken over the investigation and is intensively examining links to previous shootings," police said at midday.
The incident is part of a series of similar incidents. The previous Monday morning, shots were fired at a Turkish café in Cologne's south side – the venue was empty at the time, with no injuries or fatalities. The previous Sunday, unknown assailants allegedly shot at both the house and car of the owner of a large Turkish fast-food chain in Erftstadt, a town in the Cologne area. Police are currently investigating a possible connection between all three incidents.
Turkish-Kurdish youth gangs, sometimes referred to as the "Gen-Z Mafia", apparently play a role in the investigation.