Injured, arrests

Shock! Shots fired at the trial of a boxer who was killed

Symbolic image

(Bild: dpa-Zentralbild/Hendrik Schmidt (Archivbild), Krone KREATIV)

Several people were injured by gunshots outside the regional court in the German city of Bielefeld on Wednesday. Two suspects were arrested at the scene. The incident is probably connected to an ongoing trial surrounding the death of a professional boxer.

As reported by "Bild" and "Neue Westfälische", the father and brother of a defendant in the so-called Nimani trial were shot, and there are said to be two more victims. 

Two suspects arrested
According to dpa information, two suspects have been arrested. In the evening hours, it was announced that a third suspect was also being sought.

"Someone is shooting outside!"
According to Bild, eyewitnesses reported that constables outside the courtroom door suddenly shouted: "Someone's shooting outside!" Apparently, shots were fired from a sidewalk, after which one of the perpetrators got into a getaway car and continued shooting from there. The newspaper "NW" also reported that an eyewitness had spoken of shots being fired from a car.

High security requirements for trial of boxer killed
The Bielefeld district court is currently hearing the murder of boxer Besar Nimani, who was shot dead in Bielefeld city center in March 2024. The trial is taking place under heavy security measures. Officers from a police task force secure the building and the courtroom. All visitors, co-plaintiffs and media representatives had to undergo a search before entering the courtroom.

According to the Bielefeld public prosecutor's office, two men allegedly ambushed the victim on March 9, 2024 and fired 16 shots in front of a store in Bielefeld's pedestrian zone according to a joint plan. The 38-year-old had previously parked his car nearby and walked towards the later crime scene. He bled to death at the scene. The motive is still unclear. The 34-year-old defendant, who is now charged with murder, has not yet commented on the accusation. Another suspect is still on the run.