Man fires airgun at police patrol near German constitutional court

A man fired an airgun in the direction of a police patrol in the vicinity of the German Constitutional Court in the western city of Karlsruhe, prosecutors and police reported on Sunday, reported dpa.

The man ran towards the patrol on the court grounds on Saturday evening and fired the airgun aiming at them, the report said. No one was injured in the incident.

The 41-year-old suspect resisted arrest, slightly injuring one officer. He injured another officer more seriously while being transported to the police station.

Police are investigating whether the airgun was loaded when it was fired at the court. The weapon has been confiscated and is being examined.

The man was seen jumping with the weapon out of shrubbery on the grounds of the Karlsruhe Palace near the court shortly before the incident. Witnesses then alerted the police.

A police spokeswoman said the man was lucky not to have been fired on by police. An officer had drawn his weapon and aimed it at the suspect, she said.

The suspect is to appear in court later on Sunday, when a decision will be taken on whether he will be held in custody. No other details were provided.