Police Investigate Attempted Homicide in Germany

Authorities are looking into a case of attempted homicide following an incident where a car was driven multiple times into a crowd of pedestrians in a German town, reportedly connected to ‘clan’ crime families.

In Neustadt am Rübenberge, located near Hanover in Lower Saxony, five people sustained serious injuries when a driver repeatedly slammed a BMW sports car into a group around midnight on Monday. According to local broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk, law enforcement believes the incident was not random. They assert it was related to clan violence—a term often referring to migrant crime families engaged in the drug trade—and confirmed that there is no broader threat to the public.

A police spokesperson mentioned that those involved are linked to extended families that have previously attracted police attention regarding clan-related criminal activities. It appears both the attacker and the victims had prior acquaintances.

As reported by Germany’s Die Welt, there was a large gathering that evening, where a disagreement occurred with the BMW driver, leading to shouting and physical interactions with the vehicle. In what seems like a reaction to the confrontation, the driver then maneuvered the car into the crowd multiple times.

Officers nearby, who were conducting a traffic stop, heard the chaos and rushed to the scene. Upon witnessing the driver targeting pedestrians, they opened fire to halt the vehicle.

Even with many police present and a helicopter deployed, the driver and any potential passengers managed to flee on foot and vanish. Three individuals residing at the registered address of the car have been detained, although authorities are still figuring out their connection to the event.

The problem of migrant ‘crime clan’ drug gangs is not new in Germany; police have voiced their worries about these gang-like structures, deeply rooted in familial ties and extending their reach into politics and law enforcement.

While the existence of these violent drug clans is well acknowledged, the specific terminology can stir controversy in Germany. Some regard the label as potentially racist, as it highlights the distinct nature of crime among migrant family networks. An NDR report includes insights from criminologist Thomas Müller, who critiques the stereotype, suggesting it reflects bias: “Imagine if every Müller was viewed as potentially criminal and constantly surveilled; it would distort how both the police and society perceive everyone with the surname Müller.”