A 25-year-old Syrian man caused panic at Dortmund’s main train station this week after arguing with passengers on a regional train and threatening to kill them before brandishing a replica AK-47 assault rifle.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning around 11:30 a.m. on Regional Express 34 between Siegen and Dortmund. A passenger alerted authorities to the suspect’s behavior, and armed federal police officers quickly intervened and surrounded the man.
The migrant complied with orders and was arrested without resistance.
According to a police spokesman, the weapon was a non-functional replica stored in the man’s backpack at the time of the arrest. Witnesses reported that the suspect repeatedly removed the rifle from his bag and appeared to scan his surroundings but did not aim it at anyone. However, he allegedly threatened two men, aged 30 and 31, stating he would kill them.
Bild reported that a subsequent search revealed the man had immigration documents bearing false personal details.
He was temporarily detained at the North Rhine-Westphalia police station but was released after questioning.
Investigations are ongoing, but the suspect could still be charged with threatening behavior, presenting false identification, and violating the Weapons Act.