German police rescue woman after hostage situation involving armed man
POLICE in Germany have successfully defused a hostage situation after a woman was held captive by an armed man in Pfaffenhofen, Bavaria.
Armed man takes hostage in German youth welfare office
A special police commando team were at the scene and, after several hours of negotiations, managed to rescue the woman without any bloodshed.
Police were eventually able to overpower the perpetrator, a spokesman confirmed.
The hostage is believed to be a 31-year-old office clerk and a large police cordon was set up while authorities tried to get the situation under control.
Police are on the scene while the situation is ongoing
The perpetrator, a 28-year-old man, was armed with a knife, a police spokesman said.
Police established contact with the hostage taker, who was on the third floor of the building, and spent several hours trying to negotiate with him.
The hostage is slightly injured, according to officers, who are trying to convince the perpetrator to surrender without any bloodshed.
The perpetrator's motive remains unclear but reports suggest it may be related to a custody battle.
Pedestrians and vehicles have been blocked from entering the area within the red line