Shots at a café in Neukölln: Employees seriously injured!

Shots at a café in Neukölln: Employees seriously injured!

On the night of Friday, November 20, 2025, a frightening incident occurred in Berlin-Neukölln when a single perpetrator repeatedly fired at the window front of a café on Hermannstrasse. A café employee was seriously injured in the arm and had to be taken to hospital for inpatient treatment. At the time of the incident, another guest was also found in the café, but fortunately he was uninjured. The shots left several bullet holes in the window of the establishment, highlighting the seriousness of the crime. Witnesses reported that a vehicle fled the scene immediately after the shooting, although it currently remains unclear whether and to what extent there is a connection between the vehicle and the perpetrator. Police spokesmen expressed caution and, for tactical reasons, did not reveal any information about the exact number of cartridge cases or bullet holes at the crime scene. In addition, there is currently no apparent connection to clan crime, although this possibility is still being examined. [rbb24].

The police are currently investigating the background to the crime, while the police union is addressing the increasingly difficult situation in the capital. Berlin is facing growing clan crime, which poses a significant challenge for the authorities. In 2023, 1,063 crimes were registered by the police, which can be traced back to 298 suspected people from clan crime. Compared to the previous year, this represents an increase of almost 200 cases. The Senate Department for the Interior and Sport has taken up the issue of clan crime and published it in the 2023 situation report. Crude crimes and the associated threats to public safety are particularly worrying.

Development of clan crime in Berlin

The number of unreported cases of clan crime could be even higher as the police are calling for more intensive measures. Iris Spranger, Senator for the Interior and Sport, has underlined the importance of a 5-point plan to combat clan crime. This also includes the need for financial investigations to recover incriminated assets. Barbara Slowik, Police Chief of Berlin, is calling for legal changes to improve the legal framework to combat this type of crime, particularly with regard to cash limits and a reversal of the burden of proof in asset confiscation.

In the context of this shocking incident, the police are also paying particular attention to developments in the used car trade, construction, security and catering sectors. The situation remains tense, and the investigation into the shooting in Neukölln and clan crime as a whole will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of Berlin's citizens. Tagesspiegel and Berlin Live also report on current developments and the challenges facing the police.