Gunshot triggers major police operation in Munich dispute

A gunshot was fired during a dispute between three men in Munich’s Westend district on Monday afternoon, prompting a major police operation, BR reported. No one was injured, and the shot was probably fired from a blank-firing gun.

A passer-by called police at about 1:25 p.m. after seeing several people arguing in the courtyard of an apartment building on Trappentreustrasse. Officers found a 33-year-old man at the scene.

He told police that he had argued with two other men for reasons that remain unclear. During the physical altercation, one of them allegedly fired a shot from a blank-firing pistol.

Investigators later recovered a spent cartridge from a blank-firing gun at the scene. The weapon itself was not found.

Police launched an extensive search based on the 33-year-old’s statement. Officers stopped and arrested a 22-year-old man during a traffic check nearby. He then identified a 17-year-old from Munich who was also allegedly involved in the dispute.

According to police, the 33-year-old is a Turkish national living in Munich. The 22-year-old and the 17-year-old are German nationals living in the Munich district and the city of Munich, respectively. Police said all three have previously come to their attention several times in connection with offences including violent, drug-related and property crimes.

Criminal investigators are examining the background to the dispute and who fired the shot. The 33-year-old and the 22-year-old were released after police measures were completed.

About 25 Munich police patrols, federal police officers and police dogs took part in the operation. During the search, suburban trains temporarily passed through the Donnersberger Brücke station without stopping. Police said there was no danger to the public.