Neustadt am Rübenberge: Four to five people were injured after a car drove into a group of people in northern Germany late on Monday. Police opened fire at the vehicle, but the suspects fled on foot, leaving the car behind, according to police.
The incident took place in Neustadt am Rübenberge, north-west of Hanover, shortly before midnight on October 26. A police spokeswoman said some of the injured were seriously hurt and were taken to hospital. However, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. The number of suspects has not been confirmed, and an initial search failed to locate them.
People at the scene reported seeing several damaged vehicles, including cars with flat tyres, a smashed rear window and bullet holes.
According to preliminary findings, the people involved may have known each other. Police believe the group could have been deliberately targeted rather than hit at random. However, investigators have yet to establish the motive or clarify exactly what happened.
Police Investigate Circumstances of Incident
Police officers were in the area carrying out a routine traffic check when they became aware of the incident. They opened fire at the vehicle as it attempted to leave, but the suspects managed to escape on foot.
The vehicle was abandoned at the scene. Police launched a search for those involved while investigators began examining the circumstances of the incident.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the incident was connected to any wider threat. The investigation is ongoing.
Germany’s Earlier Car Attack in Leipzig
The latest incident comes months after a deadly car attack in Leipzig on May 4, 2026, in which two people were killed and several others were injured.
A 33-year-old German man allegedly drove a Volkswagen SUV through a busy pedestrian shopping area in the eastern German city. The vehicle travelled from Augustusplatz along Grimmaische Straße towards the city centre’s Market area at around 4:45 pm, striking pedestrians along the way.
The victims were a 63-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man. Several other people were injured, while emergency services responded to the scene. The driver was arrested at the time.
Suspect Faces Murder and Attempted Murder Charges
In August, Leipzig prosecutors brought charges against the 33-year-old man. According to the prosecution, he faces two counts of murder and 85 counts of attempted murder, along with additional charges related to dangerous interference with road traffic and bodily harm.
Prosecutors alleged that the driver killed two people and attempted to kill at least 85 others during the incident. The charges reflect the prosecution’s assessment of the case and are yet to be decided by the court.
The Leipzig case remains separate from the latest incident in Neustadt am Rübenberge. Police have not established any link between the two events.