Police officer shoots attacker – two more people are in mortal danger

After the bloody attack and the shots of a police officer in a gas station in Lengerich, Westphalia (Steinfurt district), two people are still in mortal danger. The alleged perpetrator and his victim had undergone emergency surgery and are in critical condition, a spokesman for the public prosecutor's office said on Thursday.

A police officer, who actually only wanted to fill up his patrol car, noticed on Wednesday how a 43-year-old repeatedly stabbed the 54-year-old gas station operator in the sales room. He shot several times with his service weapon and seriously injured the perpetrator. The gas station operator suffered life-threatening stab wounds in the attack.

The exact background to the crime is unclear, said the spokesman for the public prosecutor's office. It must now be determined whether the 43-year-old wanted to rob the gas station or had another motive.

According to the AFP news agency, previous investigations have shown that the 43-year-old is said to have first harassed an employee at the gas station. The operator came along. After a scuffle, the attacker stabbed him. A customer ran outside and called for help, it said.

There the police officer refueled his patrol car. He ran into the gas station, saw the stab wounds and fired several shots at the attacker. According to the current state of investigation, the gas station operator suffered numerous stab wounds and a gunshot wound to the wrist.

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