A violent shooting near the Bielefeld courthouse in western Germany left two individuals injured on Wednesday, with police investigating potential links to an ongoing murder trial involving the death of former boxer Besar Nimani.
Witnesses reported multiple gunshots near the North Rhine-Westphalia state court around 1:30 PM local time. Emergency services rushed both victims to nearby hospitals, though authorities have not disclosed their current conditions. This appears targeted rather than random, a police spokesperson told reporters during the chaotic scene.
We cannot rule out a connection to today's court proceedings,authorities confirmed in an official statement.
The timing coincides with day three of a high-stakes trial for a suspect accused of murdering Nimani, who was fatally shot in June 2023. Key case details include:
- Nimani's boxing career and post-retirement business ventures
- Unresolved motives behind the original homicide
- Heightened security measures during trial dates
Local residents expressed shock at the brazen daytime attack. Hearing gunfire by the courthouse—this isn't the Bielefeld I know, said a nearby shop owner who requested anonymity. Police have cordoned off Wilhelmstraße while forensic teams search for ballistic evidence.
This incident raises urgent questions about courtroom security across Germany's judicial facilities. Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach emphasized zero tolerance for attempts to intimidate our legal system during an emergency press briefing.
As investigators cross-reference trial attendee records with surveillance footage, legal experts warn this attack could set dangerous precedents for witness protection protocols. The prosecution continues presenting evidence in Nimani's murder case despite today's violence.