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German police stormed a supermarket in Berlin at around 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, bringing an hours-long hostage situation to an end. According to Bild, officers subdued the suspected attacker with a Taser before arresting him.
A supermarket cashier had been held by a man for around 11 hours and 20 minutes. Eyewitnesses say he allegedly threatened the woman with a knife and held her captive after entering the store at around 10 p.m. on Friday.
The supermarket had been cordoned off for several hours as the operation unfolded, according to German news agency dpa.
A police special forces unit (SEK) had been deployed outside the building, while ambulances, firefighters and numerous police vehicles were on standby. Earlier in the morning, officers used a ladder to gain a view inside the supermarket.
During the standoff, police negotiators remained in contact with the hostage-taker. It remains unclear whether the suspect and the woman knew each other.
Staff members who were inside the supermarket when the incident began were able to leave the building unharmed and received support from emergency services.
One employee told Bild: “The attacker was at the checkout, didn’t want to place the goods on the conveyor belt and then suddenly pulled out a knife.”
Police have not independently verified the employee’s account.
Our journalists are following developments closely. We will update this article as more information becomes available.
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