Shot from police weapon during pursuit in Düsseldorf

A shot was fired from a police weapon in Düsseldorf during the pursuit of a fleeing driver. A police spokesman confirmed this in response to a request from the German Press Agency. An investigation is now underway to determine whether the shot was fired accidentally, due to a technical defect, or intentionally. For reasons of neutrality, the Duisburg police have taken over the investigation.

No one was injured. The police were able to stop and arrest the man near the airport. Because the car had to be examined and secured, there were traffic disruptions in the direction of the city center, said a police spokesman.

The man did not stop during a general traffic check, which triggered the pursuit. He is said to have committed traffic offenses beforehand. It was initially unclear why he wanted to evade the check. The car was a convertible from a luxury brand and was probably a rental car. The police spokesperson was initially unable to say exactly when the shot was fired.