One injured after dispute in Arcadia Passage Investigations continue after shooting in Bad Godesberg
Bad Godesberg · The Bonn Homicide Division is investigating after a 36-year-old man was injured in a shooting in the Arcadia Passage in Bad Godesberg late on Saturday evening.
Police were alerted at around 11pm after witnesses heard shots and reported an injured man lying on the floor of the Arcadia Passage. Several patrol cars then rushed to the scene where paramedics and police found a 36-year-old man with injuries to his lower body and legs. He was taken to hospital after receiving emergency first aid. His injuries are not life-threatening.
At the same time, a 23-year-old man turned himself in at Bad Godesberg police station. He claimed he had shot the 36-year-old with a handgun during a fight and had injured him. The suspect was arrested.
Eye witnesses said two perpetrators had reportedly fired several shots after an argument. A short time later a 27-year-old man, who may also have been involved in the incident, was arrested near the scene.
As the background to the shooting is still completely unclear, the victim was put under police protection in hospital. The police cordoned off the scene at Villichgasse and forensic officers examined it during the evening. A Mercedes, possibly belonging to the victim, was impounded.
There is as yet no precise information about the identity of the victim or the shooter. The Homicide Division of the Bonn police, headed by Chief Criminal Police Commissioner Werner Jüssen, has taken over the investigations, in close cooperation with the Bonn public prosecutor’s office. The background, the exact course of events and the actions of the detainees need to be clarified.
The question whether the shooting has anything to do with previous violent incidents will also play a role. The Arcadia Passage has been considered a problem area in Bad Godesberg city centre for some time. On the one hand, the passage between Koblenzer Straße, Villichgasse and Aennchenplatz has suffered from permanent vacancies and being rundown; on the other, the predominantly Arab clientele in the surrounding bars and shops especially in the evenings makes many residents uncomfortable, especially as police intervention is repeatedly necessary.
A temporary low was reached a year ago, when there were several violent clashes, including some in which a knife and an axe were used. Police and the public order office reacted with a raid after which a Shisha bar, a supermarket and two real estate agencies were temporarily closed.
Police are looking for further witnesses. Anyone who was in Bad Godesberg town centre, particularly in the Villichgasse and the adjacent Arcadia Passage area between 10.30pm and 11pm on Saturday evening, and who saw anything suspicious which may be related to the incident is asked to contact the Homicide Squad on 0228/150.
(Original text: Michael Wrobel. Translated by Kate Carey)
