In a disturbing incident, a 25-year-old Syrian man sparked fear and chaos on a train in Dortmund by brandishing a replica AK-47 and threatening to kill passengers.
This unsettling event unfolded on Tuesday morning at around 11:30 a.m. aboard Regional Express 34, traveling between Siegen and Dortmund.
Witnesses reported the man argued with passengers before pulling the replica weapon from his backpack. Though he never pointed it directly at anyone, his menacing behavior and threats to two passengers, aged 30 and 31, sent shockwaves through the train. One witness, alarmed by his actions, contacted authorities, prompting a swift response from armed federal police.
Officers acted decisively, surrounding the man at Dortmund’s main train station. Fortunately, he complied with their orders and was arrested without incident. The weapon, a non-functional replica, was discovered in his bag during the arrest.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, police found that the man carried immigration documents under false names. Although the weapon posed no physical threat, his behavior and false identification have raised serious concerns.
The man was taken to the North Rhine-Westphalia police station for questioning but was released afterward. Ongoing investigations may lead to charges, including threatening behavior, falsifying documents, and violating the Weapons Act.
This incident is a stark reminder of the challenges facing European authorities in managing security amid rising tensions. While this time the weapon was fake, the fear and anxiety experienced by passengers were all too real.
