An altercation in central Berlin resulted in serious injuries to a 28-year-old man early Saturday morning. According to police reports, a 40-year-old male allegedly shot the victim in the face with a blank-firing pistol before inflicting a facial cut with a knife.
The incident occurred on “Am Nordbahnhof” street, where the 28-year-old was meeting a 39-year-old woman accompanied by the 40-year-old suspect. Police were alerted around 4:30 a.m. and apprehended the suspect at the scene. The victim suffered a gunshot wound and a cut to the lower jaw and was transported to a hospital by emergency services after receiving initial treatment.
The blank-firing pistol used in the incident was recovered near the location of the altercation. The suspect, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, refused a breathalyzer test. Consequently, Berlin prosecutors ordered a blood sample to be taken. Following forensic processing, the man was released from police custody. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.