Police have cordoned off part of southern Cologne following reports of multiple shots fired at an apparently empty cafe early in the morning on August 31. Authorities did not report any casualties but are searching the area for a suspect. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. outside a cafe on Bonner Straße, where police found multiple bullet holes and recovered several shell casings. They believe a lone male suspect fled the scene on foot and are investigating a possible connection to organized crime. Police cordoned off several major roads in the area, including Bonner Straße and roads leading to Chlodwigplatz square, and advised the public to avoid the busy area during the morning rush hour.
In a separate investigation, police in Bonn are looking into a car wreck found in the Rhine River in the Königswinter area. The vehicle, believed to be a Fiat from between 1976 and 1984, was first spotted in early August as river levels dropped due to dry weather. Human bones were discovered inside and near the vehicle, but police have not established any links to missing persons cases. A police spokesman stated that investigations are challenging due to the time elapsed since the incident.
Additionally, several storefronts in Cologne have been targeted in shootings during August, including a jeweler on Keupstrasse on August 21 and a watch store that was fired upon twice within a few days.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to campaign in Saxony Anhalt ahead of the state election this weekend, where he warned that an AfD government would be detrimental to the state. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is also visiting Tunisia and Algeria.