Berlin reports surge in armed crime and illegal firearm influx

Berlin has experienced a significant rise in armed crime, with police reporting 1,119 incidents involving firearms or threats last year—a 68% increase compared to 2024. While actual shootings have declined nationwide, the frequency of weapon-related threats is growing.

Recent violence in the capital includes a fatal shooting of a 30-year-old man near Zoologischer Garten station, a shooting at a café in Kreuzberg, and gunfire directed at a restaurant in Neukölln. Authorities have noted that offenders are becoming younger and are increasingly recruited through online platforms.

Investigations into the source of these weapons reveal that a significant portion of seized firearms originate from underground workshops in Czechia, though the largest flow of illegal weapons comes from Turkey. Criminal networks have been found converting gas pistols into lethal firearms, and police have also encountered weapons manufactured using 3D printers. In response, special task forces have been established, resulting in 50 arrests to date.