Gang war in Stuttgart: defendant in court after brutal car attack

Gang war in Stuttgart: defendant in court after brutal car attack

The trial began on May 30, 2025 at the Stuttgart Regional Court against a 26-year-old man who is accused of intentionally hitting a member of a rival group with his car. The incident, which comes in the context of a series of shootings between two gang war-like groups in the Stuttgart region, has serious consequences for the victim, who has been in a vegetative state ever since. A vehicle hitting the victim head-on at a speed of 64 km/h resulted in life-threatening injuries, which is why the court classified the victim's state of health as critical, with only a slim chance of regaining consciousness. According to tagesschau.de this is already the 16th trial that is directly linked to the violence between these groups and has been charged by the public prosecutor with attempted murder.

In the case, the defendant is accused of having acted together with four accomplices. The details of the incident are shocking: the victim was initially able to escape, but was then brutally struck by a vehicle. The trial is scheduled for a total of 14 days until October, and the judicial effort is described as enormous.

Spiral of violence in the Stuttgart region

The escalation of violence between rival gangs is not a new phenomenon in the Stuttgart region. Serious acts of violence, including shootings and attacks, have occurred repeatedly over the past two years. As reported by swr.de, several charges have already been brought in this context. Three young men aged 20 and 21 are suspected of carrying out an attack on a suspected gang member. These clashes are part of a series of violent incidents that have plagued the city for over a year.

The security situation is also made worse by the fact that the teenagers and young adults who are active in these gangs are often recruited from poorly educated backgrounds. The gang members, often between the ages of 18 and 28, mobilize in large groups and use social media to coordinate their activities. Since these bouts of violence began, police have recorded almost 20 shootings in which several people were injured or killed. According to a study, the appeal of these gangs has increased significantly and is sometimes described as “crime as a way of life”, which makes combating them even more difficult.

Police measures and their challenges

The police in Baden-Württemberg are confronted with numerous challenges. The demands on staff are high and there is an increased need for specialized support in the gang crime sector. In some cases, such as scandalous incidents involving the use of hand grenades, major carnage was prevented only by chance. The incidents have also led to the establishment of special investigation units to deal with rising clan crime. ZDF reports a worrying development in which these gangs continue to expand despite several arrests and increased police presence.

The police are taking extensive measures in response to the threat, but the pain of relevance is particularly evident in the integration of new immigrants, who are often drawn into the structures of these groups. The ongoing violence not only results in personal tragedies, but also poses a challenge for society as a whole. Experts warn of a gradual decline in security in affected neighborhoods and are calling for more decisive measures.