Police officer shot and wounded in Göttingen street clash; suspect on the run

The incident

A police officer was shot and injured during a street confrontation between two groups in Göttingen, Lower Saxony, on Saturday evening. The gunfire erupted around 10:15 p.m. on a sidewalk next to a busy road at the edge of the city centre, according to police. The wounded officer was taken to hospital for treatment; authorities have not yet disclosed the severity of the injuries. Officers had responded to a dispute involving multiple individuals when shots were suddenly fired, striking the policeman.

Manhunt underway

Immediately after the shooting, one person fled the scene. A large-scale search operation was launched, with a helicopter circling over the city and officers cordoning off a wide area around the crime scene. Authorities advised residents to avoid the area but stressed that there was never any danger to the general public. The situation was described as fluid, and the suspect remains at large as of early Sunday morning.

Festival went on without disruption

The incident unfolded while the city's "Nacht der Kulturen" festival was in full swing several streets away. The event, billed as Göttingen's largest festival, featured around 80 acts performing on 15 stages across the city centre until midnight. Despite the large crowds, the location of the shooting was far enough from the festivities that visitors were not at risk, and the festival continued without interruption.

Investigation and witness reports

Despite the late hour, multiple tips from witnesses have already come in, police said on Sunday night. Some bystanders reportedly described the direction in which the suspect fled. Investigators are now evaluating the tips and following all leads. The background to the dispute and the motive for the shooting remain unclear. Authorities have not released any information about the identities of those involved or the type of weapon used.