Halle after the state election: shots fired at anti-AfD protest

On Monday evening, a 25-year-old participant was hit in the head with an air gun at a demonstration in Halle. Police believe the shot was fired from one of the neighboring apartment buildings. The victim was only slightly wounded by a glancing bullet and received medical treatment during the demonstration.

There is currently no trace of the perpetrator. It also remains unclear where the shot was fired, even after checking two residential buildings. According to their own statements, the police are currently interviewing witnesses and evaluating images.

The perpetrator shot into a crowd of left-wing demonstrators in downtown Halle who were taking to the streets against the AfD. According to the police, the motive of the perpetrator is still unclear - they want to leave it open whether a resident who was annoyed by the noise also took out the air rifle, according to a police spokesman. Nevertheless, the police state security is currently investigating because it is suspected that the motive is political, possibly right-wing extremist.

The shot was fired shortly before 8 p.m. at the final rally of the “On the streets – demonstration for the state elections” demonstration. The protest was organized by the Federation of Class Struggle Organizations; the police counted 850 participants.

It wasn't the first time that shots were fired on August-Bebel-Platz: the local news and online portal Du bist Halle reported four very similar cases in recent years. In 2022 the public order office was shot at, and in 2025 seven people were hit after a bicycle demonstration. The last hail of bullets at August-Bebel-Platz occurred on July 18 of this year. Six people in front of a bar suffered minor injuries. In all cases, the police assumed an air gun was the murder weapon and also found suitable bullets. The perpetrator always remained unknown.

In Germany, air guns are permitted under certain conditions. Some of them can hit targets with an accuracy of 25 to 30 meters; a hit in the eye can quickly lead to blindness. Tuning and a special lubricant can improve accuracy, according to a specialist blog.

During the election campaign for Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD in particular came out as gun enthusiasts: In its election program, it calls for the abolition of the small firearms license and more freedom for sport shooters. The party, which is classified as right-wing extremist in Saxony-Anhalt, wants people monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, like its own members, to be able to obtain weapons. According to the party program, black powder single shot guns and air guns should be removed from weapons law.