Fatal exchange of fire: Driver shot during border control in Schirnding

Fatal exchange of fire: Driver shot during border control in Schirnding

In a shocking incident on the German-Czech border, a fugitive driver was fatally injured by the federal police during a border check on June 1, 2025. The police were busy with routine checks of vehicles in the Wunsiedel district, more precisely in Schirnding, when the driver was supposed to stop. Instead, the man fled on foot and pulled out a gun, which he fired at the emergency services Stuttgart News reported.

The police returned fire, fatally wounding the man. Despite immediate resuscitation measures, he could not be saved. The officers deployed remained uninjured. The identity of the deceased has not been released and the reason for the check was initially unclear.

Background of border controls

This incident occurs in the context of the increased border controls at the German internal borders that have been introduced since October 2023. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) had announced these measures to curb irregular migration t online reported. These controls are not only aimed at security aspects, but are also intended to address the refugee crisis and reduce irregular entries.

There are currently around 3,000 additional federal police officers on duty at the Bavarian-Czech border. The balance of this fulfillment of duty shows that thousands of people were turned back at the border in the first few weeks after the change of government. In the first week, 739 people were turned away, including 51 asylum seekers. The following week, that number rose to 1,676, highlighting the urgency and strain of border controls.

Development of migration

The number of asylum applications submitted in Germany rose slightly following the tightened border controls. By the end of April 2025, over 50,000 applications had already been recorded, and the projection for 2025 suggests around 160,000 applications. In comparison, there were over 350,000 in 2023, according to information from ZDF.

The decline in irregular entries is relevant, later in 2024 there were a good 80,000 entries, which represents a significant decline. Experts attribute this to more stable conditions in the countries of origin and increased control of the EU's external borders.

The investigation into the incident in Schirnding was taken over by the Hof criminal police with the participation of the public prosecutor. In the coming period, more information about the background to the escape attempt and the man's motives is expected to be released.