German police shoot ax-wielding person during Hamburg fan parade

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

German police on Sunday shot a man who threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device on the sidelines of a parade of Euro 2024 football supporters in central Hamburg, according to a police spokesperson.

The attacker was injured in the leg and was receiving medical treatment, but his condition is not life-threatening, the spokesperson said.

“He apparently tried to set fire to this Molotov cocktail and then approached several people, including police officers, and the latter then had to use their firearms,” declared the spokesperson for the police. Hamburg police, Sandra Levgruen.

There is no evidence the man has any connection to the soccer tournament, Levgruen said, while the motivation for his attack is unclear.

“We assume that this is an isolated case, that is, disconnected from football… I don't see any threat or impact on the game today,” Levgruen said.

Screenshot of moments after a man carrying an ax was shot dead by police officers in Hamburg's St. Pauli district, ahead of the Euro 2024 match between Poland and the Netherlands in Hamburg, Germany Germany. June 16, 2024 (credit: Nonstopnews/via REUTERS)

The incident took place in the St Pauli district before Poland's afternoon match with the Netherlands at Hamburg's Volksparkstadion, which started as scheduled.

Before a football match

Supporter marches were planned ahead of Euro 2024 matches, and the Dutch supporters' parade was taking place around the time of the incident. Fans were moved from the area by police towards the stadium.

Germany hosts the month-long tournament which began Friday evening.