The 32-year-old fell onto the tram tracks and in between two tram cars, just as the tram was driving away. Because the driver didn’t notice what had happened, he continued on his way, only stopping the tram in the turning loop at Ubierring. The 32-year-old was already dead by that time. The late police officer had been an inspector with the State Criminal Police (with headquarters in Düsseldorf), but he was working from Cologne. On Friday evening, he wanted to celebrate carnival in the Südstadt.

Many people at the tram stop witnessed the terrible scene. The two friends of the victim had to be taken to hospital for further trauma care. Rescue workers and emergency counselors also looked after the others who witnessed the tragic event. Transportation authorities provided a bus to shelter those being cared for.

The 44-year-old man had contacted police immediately after the fatal accident, registering as a witness along with others. As the homicide investigation got underway, the man came under strong suspicion, police reported on Sunday.

Images from a surveillance camera which recorded the deadly incident could have played a role. They show that the shove was clearly intentional, say the investigators. And that the suspect then disappeared into the crowd. The video recordings do not seem to be of a particularly good quality. Police announced on Saturday that they were trying to make the face of the suspect recognizable. It is still unclear whether there were any ties between the perpetrator and the victim.

The suspect has hired a lawyer and he has remained silent about the charges so far. Investigators have not commented on a possible motive. It is not clear as to whether or not there had been some kind of dispute before the incident occurred. But the suspect is said to be German. The 32-year-old victim was dressed up for carnival and had on his person a police ID card identifying him as a police inspector with the State Criminal Police of NRW.

The late police officer is said to have last worked in Dusseldorf, but previously worked in Cologne, which is where he also lived. On Friday evening, the police officer, who was a member of the State Criminal Police (LKA) was off-duty and enjoying celebrating carnival in Cologne.

It was only in summer of last year when a man, who was dubbed “the subway shover” spread fear and terror in Cologne, having allegedly attacked four women. He was said to be a 26-year-old homeless man. He faces permanent imprisonment in a psychiatric ward because of a serious mental illness. The trial against him began at the end of January.

Orig. text: Stefan Sommer, Translation: ck