A man reportedly armed with a machete stormed into a bakery in Berlin-Reinickendorf on Wednesday, sparking a violent confrontation that ended with him being chased down the street and beaten to death by men wielding baseball bats.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. near Walliser Straße, close to a local school. As reported by Berliner Zeitung, the 38-year-old man’s motives for entering the bakery with a machete remain unclear.
Following a heated argument inside, the conflict spilled out onto the street, where five individuals reportedly pursued and fatally attacked the man.
“The man died on the spot despite immediately initiated resuscitation measures,” the police report read.
Five men were arrested by the authorities in connection with the attack — aged between 24 and 57. They remain in custody as investigations continue.
The incident has deeply disturbed the community. “My son goes to school there,” said one mother referencing the school in the vicinity.
Eyewitnesses and residents have provided conflicting reports, some claiming the victim was involved in illegal drug activities, though authorities have not confirmed these allegations.
“The victim walked shirtless and gold chains from Lindauer Allee to Walliser Straße. I couldn’t see a machete, but he had something tucked under his arm,” one eyewitness told Bild. She further recounted how a group of men dressed in dark clothing then chased after the man.
“I think they just wanted to stop him. This is also the school and the side entrance,” she said.
The owner of the bakery also said he knew the attacker: “He was also a frequent customer of mine. I think he’s Romanian—an alcoholic and drug addict.”
Benjamin Jendro, spokesman for the Berlin police union, voiced concerns over the increasing violence in the capital. “Unfortunately, we are experiencing more and more often that disputes are carried out with violence and the use of lethal weapons.”
Berlin’s 7th Homicide Squad of the State Criminal Police Office is leading the ongoing investigation into the attack.
“We are investigating on suspicion of homicide. The crime must now be reconstructed,” said police spokesman Florian Nath.
No further information regarding the identity of the victim, the suspects, or a motive for the attack has been released.
It is also unclear why the men had baseball bats, as baseball is not a popular sport in Germany.