- Individual confronted with gunfire within Frankfurt Central Station, Warrant released for apprehension
In the core of Frankfurt's central station, a 54-year-old is accused of ending a 27-year-old's life by shooting him in the head. Law enforcement officers quickly apprehended the suspected murderer, who was taken into custody by federal police. The public prosecutor's office announced that they had issued a warrant for his arrest, alleging him of committing homicide. Regrettably, the victim succumbed to his injuries at the crime scene on Tuesday night. Both men hailed from Turkey.
The connection between the two men initially remained unclear. As the investigation unfolded, Mies, a fellow authority, stated, "We're still in the early stages of this investigation, so I kindly ask for your patience as we can't yet provide details on the motive or the relationship between the suspect and the victim." A few weeks ago, a curfew on weapons had been enforced at Frankfurt's central station.
Multi-shot fatalities
The exact sequence of events leading up to this tragic incident occurred in the midst of one of Germany's busiest train stations. According to investigators, the 54-year-old approached the victim near track 9 and fired a shot into his head from behind. After the victim collapsed to the ground, the suspect allegedly unloaded another two shots into the man's head before abandoning the firearm and fleeing.
Lucky for the authorities, the suspect was quickly apprehended near track 7 by the diligent and brave efforts of federal police officers. They prevented him from boarding a train and escaping the scene. The suspect was a resident of Baden-Württemberg, while the victim was unhoused. The public prosecutor's office reported that the suspect initially refused to speak about the incident.
Frankfurt Central Station shut down temporarily
Following the shooting, the central station shut down temporarily for approximately 25 minutes due to the police operation. The area around track 9 was closed off with crime scene tape, causing a bit of chaos among travelers as they wandered aimlessly. A brave eyewitness reported witnessing the suspect firing multiple shots. The victim's remains were later transported away in a vehicle. Police discovered the presumed murder weapon during their investigation.
The following day, Frankfurt Central Station returned to its usual frenetic pace as the summer cooldown in Hesse neared its end. Many commuters were unaware of the events that had transpired the previous day.
"The station is becoming more dangerous"
"It's already disheartening that something like this can occur right in the midst of the station," expressed a Frankfurt student who was traveling to Munich. Given the notorious reputation of the station district, it simply added to her unease. "The station is becoming more dangerous," shared a bakery stand worker who had been at his location near track 9 for over 20 years. A woman from Gießen, on the other hand, viewed the incident with a touch more resilience, stating, "You can't let fear control your life, otherwise, you'll be worried everywhere. There's always the chance of being attacked on the street." She further opined, "I think there had to be a reason for someone to shoot someone without warning. They probably knew each other."
Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck expressed his shock at the incident and shared the widespread sentiment of concern for the safety of train stations. He believed that it was essential to decipher the motive behind the crime. Furthermore, he emphasized that more needed to be done to enhance security. "Regardless of the specific circumstances, for me that includes stricter gun control, strengthening the police's powers of surveillance, and adhering to immigration law. We must consistently deport foreigners who use weapons and knives as lethal weapons in their home countries," the CDU politician shared.
Since June 1st, a curfew on weapons was implemented at the central station, where owners could not carry weapons between 8 PM and 5 AM. Previously, a weapons ban had already been enforced in the station district, which suffered from a reputation as a hotbed of criminal activity.
Frankfurt Central Station Opened in 1888
The Federal Police reported that the number of violent crimes involving weapons had remarkably doubled at the central station since the COVID pandemic: rising from 80 incidents in 2019 to 176 in 2022.
The Frankfurt central station was inaugurated on August 18, 1888, known then as the "Central Station." With half a million passengers and visitors daily, as well as over a thousand trains, it is currently one of Germany's busiest transport hubs.
The public prosecutor's office, recognizing the severity of the situation, assigned the case to 'The Commission' to thoroughly investigate the motive behind the shooting. Despite the heightened security measures, such as the curfew on weapons, incidents like this have led 'The Commission' to explore potential enhancements in the station's security.
