Violence Erupts Outside Bielefeld Court as Gunman Targets Defendant’s Family.
A gunman has left several people injured following a shooting outside a courthouse in Bielefeld, Germany.
The alarming incident took place near the trial of Huseyin Akkurt, who is facing charges related to the 2024 murder of professional boxer Besar Nimani.
Around 1:30 PM local time, just after the conclusion of today’s hearing, gunshots rang out approximately 150 meters (490 feet) from the courthouse.
Eyewitnesses told Bild that police officers outside the courtroom shouted, “Someone is shooting outside!” The news outlet reported that at least two of the defendant’s relatives were injured in the attack. One sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while the other was critically injured with a chest wound.
As of now, one suspect has been arrested, and another is barricaded inside a nearby building. Authorities have deployed a helicopter to patrol the area.
A local school has activated its emergency alarm, leading teachers and students to lock themselves in their classrooms for safety.
Akkurt’s trial, which began in late January, has been under tight security to protect all involved parties. Riot police had to secure the courtroom and the building, with all attendees subjected to thorough searches before entry.
According to the indictment from the Bielefeld public prosecutor’s office, two men ambushed Besar Nimani on March 9, 2024, firing 16 shots outside a shop in the city’s pedestrian zone. Nimani, aged 38, had parked his car nearby earlier that day and tragically bled to death at the scene. While the motive remains unclear, many believe the killing may have been linked to a personal or criminal dispute.
Akkurt, now 34, was arrested in Brussels, Belgium, in July. He has not yet made a statement regarding the charges. Another suspect in the case, Ayman Dawoud Kirit, remains at large.
