Rhineland-Palatinate
Investigators investigate poaching as a motive for shot dead police officers – two suspects in custody
Police officers bring one of the suspects (M) in the Kusel case from the Kaiserslautern district court
© Harald Tittel / DPA
After the deadly shots at two young police officers in Kusel, investigations are in full swing. The two suspects are said to have been poachers – but many questions remain unanswered.
The case of the two police officers killed has caused great consternation throughout Germany. Since Tuesday, two men have been in custody on suspicion of joint murder and poaching. The 32 and 38-year-old Saarlanders are said to have shot a 24-year-old police officer and a 29-year-old chief inspector early Monday morning during a traffic check in the Kusel district – in the south-west of Rhineland-Palatinate.
The police have since received around 150 tips on the crime. The investigation will continue on Wednesday. The investigators suspect that the men wanted to cover up hunting poaching – the trunk was therefore full of game. In addition, it should be clarified whether the men had gun ownership cards, as the public prosecutor in Kaiserslautern announced. A large arsenal of weapons was seized when they were arrested.
Younger suspects are said to have admitted poaching
The older man has not yet commented on the matter, the younger man admitted to poaching and described the police check and shots, it said. According to prosecutors, he denied shooting himself. Investigators assume that at least two weapons were used – and that they were used by both suspects. There are no indications of a politically motivated act or any connections to the so-called Reich Citizens’ Scene.
The two suspects have no previous convictions. The 38-year-old had already noticed the police because of hunting poaching and traffic accident escape, the 32-year-old because of fraud, it said. According to prosecutors, the men now face life imprisonment. “It is not part of our idea of Germany for someone to shoot hunting weapons on the street because they might be caught poaching,” said senior public prosecutor Udo Gehring.
After the death of his colleagues, the entire Rhineland-Palatinate police force was “very concerned”, said Kaiserslautern police chief Michael Denne at a press conference on Tuesday. “Since 4.22 a.m. we have had a new era. We are shocked, deeply appalled and sad.” 4:22 a.m. Monday morning is the alleged time of the crime.
After action in Kusel: politicians for more solidarity with the police
Investigators also spoke of applause with the perpetrators on social media. This will not be accepted, announced Frank Gautsche from the West Palatinate Criminal Investigation Directorate. The authorities would closely investigate these “disgusting postings” and do everything possible to prosecute the senders of hate mail.
Several leading politicians spoke out in the “Bild” on Wednesday for solidarity with the police. Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) campaigned to show understanding for the work of women and men in uniform and to say thank you from time to time – “just like that”. Hamburg’s First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) said: “We must not tolerate hostilities and attacks on police officers.”
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) confirmed: “Further strengthening respect for these women and men remains a social task.” However, one will never be able to completely eliminate the dangers that this profession can entail. Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of the Interior Thomas Strobl (CDU) referred in the “Bild” to the increased equipment of the police in his state and cited the introduction of bodycams as an example.