German Minister’s Bodyguard Accidentally Fires Weapon at Cologne Airport

The BKA confirmed the rare incident involving a Glock 17, which caused no injuries, as security concerns around Karl Lauterbach remain heightened.

A BKA bodyguard accidentally discharged a Glock 17 service weapon at Cologne Airport in November 2024 while unloading it, striking a service vehicle but causing no injuries.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) confirmed the incident, describing such occurrences as extremely rare within its security group of 500 specially trained personnel.
Karl Lauterbach, Germany’s Health Minister, has faced significant threats, particularly from far-right extremists, since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The incident came shortly before the conviction of members of the extremist group ‘Vereinte Patrioten,’ who plotted to kidnap Lauterbach and overthrow the government.
The ‘Vereinte Patrioten’ sought to destabilize Germany and reinstate the 1871 German Empire’s constitution, reflecting ongoing challenges in combating political extremism.