Hanover, Germany. Oct 27 (dpa/GNA) – Police in northern Germany opened fire on a car, after it drove into a group of people, a police spokeswoman said.
Four or five people were injured, some seriously, and taken to hospital, but none were in life-threatening condition, she said.
The incident occurred late on Monday in Neustadt am RĂĽbenberge, north-west of Hanover, in the German state of Lower Saxony. The circumstances remained unclear.
The suspects, whose number was also initially unclear, fled on foot, leaving the car behind. The search for them at first proved unsuccessful, the spokeswoman said.
A dpa reporter described several damaged cars, with flat tyres, a smashed rear window and bullet holes. Initial investigations suggested those involved knew each other.
The suspects had apparently targeted the group deliberately rather than at random, the spokeswoman said.
Officers conducting a routine traffic check nearby, became aware of the incident shortly before midnight and fired at the vehicle in an attempt to stop it, the spokeswoman said.
Numerous police officers and a helicopter were involved in the operation.
GMA