Shock in Weißensee! Teenagers attack 21-year-olds with a truncheon

Shock in Weißensee! Teenagers attack 21-year-olds with a truncheon

On the evening of May 29, 2025, the Berlin emergency services were called to Weißensee, where there were two assault offenses. According to [berlin.de] (https://www.berlin.de/polizei reports/2025/Pressemageilung.1565226.php) a 21-year-old man and his 20-year companion were sitting on a bench on Gustav-Adolf-Straße shortly before 7 p.m. when they were addressed by three young people. A dispute escalated into a physical argument, in the course of which one of the attackers hit the head of the 21-year-old with a truck. This fell to the ground and suffered injuries to a head half and the knees that had to be treated on an outpatient basis.

The police could not find the three suspected attackers. In connection with the incident, however, the 21-year-old is suspect in a previously committed robbery. In addition, a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old boy stated that they were addressed by the 21-year-old and his companion and felt threatened. The 21-year-old carried out stab movements towards the 13-year-old with a knife and injured him on his face. The boy fell to the ground, and the suspect entered him and snatched his baseball cap before he moved towards Hamburger Platz.

consequences of the physical examination

The 13-year-old was brought to the hospital with a stab wound on the face and injuries by hand and shoulder. During the 21-year-old's search, the emergency services found the baseball cap of the 13-year-old and fireworks. A breath alcohol measurement resulted in a value of almost 1.4 per thousand. The 21-year-old behaved aggressively during his arrest and had to undergo a detectional treatment and a blood sample. Although he was released from the police measures, he has to answer for suspicion of the severe robbery. A specialist commissioner of Police Directorate 1 (North) has taken over the investigation.

bodily harm in youth criminal law

The incidents raise questions about the application of youth criminal law. According to Kanzlei-wederhake.de, assault is defined as a physical abuse or damage to health in the German Criminal Code (§ 223 StGB). A distinction is made between different types of bodily harm, with a clear demarcation between negligent and intentional bodily harm, especially in youth crime. In the event of intentional bodily harm, the perpetrator is acted with the intention of harming someone and must expect the corresponding legal consequences.

The discussion about the application of criminal law to children under the age of 14 is particularly relevant when it comes to serious crimes. Youth crime in Germany has experienced a worrying increase in recent years, with around 13,800 cases in 2024, more than twice as high as in 2016, such as Statista. This is partially attributed to psychological stress by the Corona measures and shows the need for preventive measures.

Overall, the question remains how the right to juvenile law reacts specifically to such cases and what measures are taken to counter a further increase in youth violence. It is expected that the discussion about tougher sanctions and the role of youth welfare will be increasingly conducted to prevent criminal résumés.