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Shots in Gelsenkirchen: Man seriously injured – police are looking for witnesses!
In Gelsenkirchen there was an exchange of fire in the old town on July 21, 2025, and one man was seriously injured. Investigations are ongoing.
Shots in Gelsenkirchen: Man seriously injured – police are looking for witnesses!
Dramatic scenes took place in the old town of Gelsenkirchen on Monday, July 21, 2025. There was an exchange of fire on the main street in which a man was seriously injured and had to be taken to hospital. The background to the dispute is still unclear. As WDR reports, the tragedy began with a dispute between several people that included both physical and verbal altercations.
As the incident progressed, the brawlers separated, but the injured man remained at the scene to look for his lost glasses. Suddenly a vehicle with five men returned, one of them pulled out a gun and opened fire on the victim, who collapsed on the sidewalk after being shot several times. A passer-by provided first aid and attempted to treat the serious injuries. The scuffle before the exchange of fire and the violent confrontation show that the willingness to use violence was high among those involved. According to DerWesten, the police have launched a large-scale manhunt for the suspected perpetrators, while a specially set up murder squad is investigating.
Investigation and security situation
The police secured a large area of the crime scene and have now lifted the barriers, but the investigation is ongoing. Emergency services searched for eyewitnesses on site to shed light on the matter. Violent crime in Germany has taken on worrying characteristics in recent years, as the figures show. In 2024, around 217,000 violent crimes were registered, the highest number since 2007. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of violent crimes increased significantly, and this trend raises concerns about security in cities, including in Gelsenkirchen. According to [Statista](https://de.statista.com/themen/11062/ criminalitaet-in-deutschland-violentcrime/), violent crimes account for less than 4% of all recorded crimes, but they have a far greater impact on people's sense of security than theft or fraud.
The worrying picture is backed up by a survey showing that 94% of Germans see violence and aggression against police, politicians or rescue workers as a major problem. It is unlikely that the shooting in Gelsenkirchen will remain an isolated incident as long as the fundamental social problems are not addressed. While the criminal investigation department continues to work on solving the incident, it remains to be seen what information the ongoing investigation will uncover.
With the current developments in the criminal landscape, Gelsenkirchen remains a place where tension and concern among residents are high. The sense of security is increasingly being questioned and dealing with violent crime remains a key challenge for the authorities.