Armed man suspected in residential building - SEK operation

Police officers have been deployed to a residential building in the German city of Essen after reports of an armed man inside.

The SEK, Germany’s special forces unit, has been called in to assist with the operation.

Police were alerted to the incident at around 5:30pm local time on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, after receiving reports of a man armed with a gun inside a residential building on Kruppstraße in the Altenessen district of Essen.

Police have cordoned off the area and are urging people to stay away. They have also asked residents in the immediate vicinity to stay indoors.

The SEK has been deployed to the scene and is currently conducting a search of the building. It is not yet clear if the suspect is still inside the building.

Police have not yet released any information about the suspect or the motive for the incident.

This is a developing story and more information will be released as it becomes available.