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One of captured hostages in Ingolstadt released

The suspect is yet to voice and demands

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

BERLIN, August 19. (Itar-Tass) – One of the hostages held in the Ingolstadt’s old city hall building has been released. Previously Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria’s Interior Minister, announced that the criminal who took three people hostage was a 24-year-old homeless man. According to the official, the suspect was banned from both city hall buildings as he was stalking one female employee of the city administration and threatened other civil servants. Head of Bavaria’s Interior Ministry noted that the conflict was escalating.

Third burgomaster (deputy mayor) Sepp Misslbeck and the woman which was harassed by the suspect were identified as two of the hostages. Misslbeck was later released by the criminal. A police spokesman said that the suspect had prior offenses. “We’re waiting for him to voice concrete demands. Currently 208 people take part in the operation,” he added.

Sepp Misslbeck was later released, although little else is known at the time.

At this point it is known the suspect entered the old city hall building around 9am. He is armed with a handgun, although it’s not clear whether it’s real or not. With police vehicles still arriving at the scene, a SWAT team is preparing for a potential assault.

Due to the hostage situation previously scheduled appearance of Angela Merkel within the framework of her election campaign has been cancelled. Her meeting with voters was supposed to take place on the square in front of the city hall, which is currently fenced off by the police.

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