2 injured in shooting near German court linked to murder trial

One person has been critically injured in a shooting near a court in the western German city of Bielefeld in connection with a trial over the death of a former boxer, police sources told dpa on Wednesday.

The incident was a targeted attack, sources said, with three shots fired.

A second person was injured in the shooting, police confirmed.

A suspect has been detained, dpa has learnt, with a major operation ongoing around the Bielefeld Regional Court.

According to a court spokesman, the shots were fired shortly after the end of a hearing in the high-security trial of two men over the death of Besar Nimani, a former professional boxer.

The court dates have been held under heavy security since the trial started in January.

Officers from a police task force have secured the building every day, with visitors, co-plaintiffs and media representatives being searched before entering the courtroom.

It is unclear whether the suspect who has been detained acted alone, or what the motive for the attack could be.

According to the Bielefeld public prosecutor's office, Nisami was killed in March 2024 after being ambushed by two men.

They allegedly fired 16 shots at him, killing him at the scene.

A 34-year-old defendant charged with murder has not yet entered a plea while another suspect is still on the run. A motive has not yet been determined.