Crime - Acid attack in Bochum café: Arrest warrant for attempted murder
From weekly idyll at Coffee and Cake, a nightmare unfolds: Screams echo, Guests are in shock. A 43-year-old German man, known to the police, has been released on a warrant for attempted murder after an acid attack at a Bochum Cafe. A judge sent the man to investigative detention, said a Police spokesperson. The man has prior convictions. He denies the crime and remains silent on the charges.
He is accused of dousing a 30-year-old Bochumer guest, seated at a table, with highly concentrated sulfuric acid. The Bochumer suffered severe injuries. Up to 14 people could have been injured in the attack.
A woman and a waitress sitting at the same table, as well as two other guests who were eyewitnesses to the incident, were also injured. Two more guests, who were eyewitnesses to the incident, suffered shock. During the treatment of the injured, police and firefighters were also exposed to the acid and sustained injuries. The number of injured emergency responders was initially unclear and ranged between six and nine.
Suspect arrested near crime scene
The guests had been "completely relaxed" drinking coffee and eating cake just before the attack, reported a Police spokesperson. Witnesses reacted excellently and quickly called the Police emergency number while pursuing the suspect. Since the police were not far away, the man could be quickly and still near the crime scene arrested.
The crime scene was then secured, investigators collected traces. A murder commission was formed and searched the suspect's apartment in Bergkamen, approximately 32 kilometers (airline) away, throughout the night on Monday. The motive and background of the attack remained unclear at first. However, the prosecutor's office upgraded the charge from attempted manslaughter to attempted murder during the day. The judge eventually agreed.
- The arrest warrant for the man, who was previously known to the police for attempted murder after an acid attack, was issued by a judge in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
- The incident, which took place at a café in Bochum, resulted in a 30-year-old guest suffering severe injuries from a sulfuric acid attack, and other guests being injured as well.
- The police in Germany were able to swiftly arrest the suspect near the crime scene, thanks to the quick actions of the eyewitnesses who called the emergency number.
- The crime, initially charged as attempted manslaughter, was upgraded to attempted murder by the prosecutor's office, with the judge's agreement, following further investigation.
