After attack on 61-year-old in Hattingen: neighbor arrested

After a life-threatening attack on a 61-year-old in Hattingen in North Rhine-Westphalia, special police forces arrested one of the man's neighbors. The suspect came to the neighboring house and allowed himself to be arrested without resistance, said a police spokeswoman.

The 61-year-old man was reported to have been seriously injured on his property around 3:20 p.m. A major police operation then began. Because it could not be ruled out that the suspect was armed, special forces were called in.

Health condition critical

The seriously injured man was treated on site and then taken to a special clinic in a rescue helicopter. Investigators said late in the evening that his health was critical and that life-threatening conditions could not be ruled out.

It is assumed that it was an attempted homicide, it was said. A murder squad has taken over the investigation. Investigators initially did not provide any information about the type of injuries or the possible murder weapon. The area around where the man was found was cordoned off for forensic investigation. It was still unclear whether the location was also the crime scene.

The police continued to not comment on reports that it was an ax attack for tactical reasons. The Essen public prosecutor's office is conducting the investigation.