Shots at Hells Angels in Cologne: Rocker war escalates in Kalk!

Shots at Hells Angels in Cologne: Rocker war escalates in Kalk!

Early on Sunday morning, July 16, 2025, an unknown gunman carried out an attack on a residential building on Kalker's Eythstrasse, the center of which was an old member of the Hells Angels. According to a report by Cologne City Gazette Four shots were fired at the front door. The shooter then fled in a white VW Golf with a Bergheimer registration towards Lüttringhauser Straße. A Ford parked in front of the house was damaged by a glancing blow. The Cologne criminal police suspect that the incident is related to an ongoing feud within the rocker milieu.

This incident is also seen in the context of a similar shooting in Wesseling that occurred on July 3rd. There, an attacker fired a submachine gun 21 times at a building, aiming from a distance of about 50 meters. A 38-year-old tenant of the house that was attacked turned out to be a former Hells Angel who was involved in a knife attack in 2014 and was arrested for extortion at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Rocker crime in focus

The rocker scene on the Rhine and Ruhr is currently in flux because the balance of power is obviously shifting in favor of the Hells Angels. Loud RND Around 150 members, including former Bandidos leaders, defected to the Hells Angels. This is happening in an environment of intense conflict, heightening fears about internal disputes and possible further acts of violence.

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) describes rocker groups such as the Hells Angels and Bandidos as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG), which are characterized by a strict hierarchical structure and show little willingness to cooperate with the police. These groups are often involved in criminal activities, and the use of violence, even against bystanders, is not uncommon. Their activities also extend into legal areas such as security services and the red light district, which allows them to facilitate illegal businesses.

Focal points and challenges

The increase in violent clashes is reflected in the ever-increasing number of investigations underway against rocker groups. A study by the BKA identifies attacks as a central component of rocker crime, with the “tradition” of hostilities between different clubs leading to a higher potential for violence. There is also talk of a significant dark area in rocker crime, which makes the police's investigation work considerably more difficult.

The internal dynamics within the rocker groups could potentially lead to further violent conflict, especially given the current uncertainty and shifting balance of power. Criminal activities that result from competition between the Hells Angels and the remaining members of the Bandidos continue to be the focus of investigations.

The entire rocker scene, including its involvement in serious crimes, presents a complex and challenging picture. It remains to be seen what further developments the police will observe and how the situation could develop in the coming weeks and months.