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The suspect was shot by police after attempting to set fire to a cinema
A man was shot by police and detained in the German city of Krefeld on Thursday, after setting fires at three locations and attempting to burn down a movie theater, according to local media.
In the three arson incidents, the suspect reportedly used “incendiary devices” believed to be Molotov cocktails to torch a car and two buildings – an apartment block and the local Federal Employment Agency office. The fire service received the first emergency call at 7:50pm local time.
The man then headed toward Krefeld Central Station, and tried to enter the Cinemaxx theater. Police engaged the suspect in the foyer and opened fire to stop him.
A video circulating on social media shows officers storming the cinema, with screams heard before a shot is fired.
BREAKING:
The German police have shot a man in Krefeld after he started striking people in a cinema with a hammer pic.twitter.com/0H0DEPTnJ5
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 10, 2024
The suspect, whose motives are unclear, survived the gunshot and is being treated in hospital. There have been no reports of casualties from the three fires.
Police reportedly believe the arsonist was acting alone, and do not see any further threat to the public.
Nach Feuer-Amoklauf in #Krefeld schießen Polizisten Angreifer im Eingang des CinemaxX nieder, Großeinsatz in der Innenstadt, Täter hat mindestens drei Brände gelegt, ganze Innenstadt abgesperrt, überall Einsatzkräfte #Polizei #amok #gewalt #Kriminalität pic.twitter.com/kjmFzzBqdz
— Frank Schneider (@chefreporterNRW) October 10, 2024
However, the incident has led to heightened security in Krefeld. The area around the cinema has been cordoned off, with a large number of police officers securing the scene late into the evening. The nearby station was not locked down.
Local officials have arrived at the scene, including the mayor, Frank Meyer.