Man goes on rampage with excavator in Germany before being shot dead by police

A man was shot dead by police in southwestern Germany on Tuesday after going on a rampage with a stolen excavator, injuring three police officers.

Police in the state of Baden-Württemberg described the incident on social media as a “suspected rampage”. Further details were initially unknown but there was no danger to the public, a spokeswoman added.

The 38-year-old German man stole an excavator from a construction company in the town of Grünsfeld, south of Frankfurt, where he reportedly destroyed the entire inventory.

He then drove the vehicle to another town, a few kilometres away, damaging several patrol cars and other vehicles during the journey.

One policewoman injured during the incident was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

The “rampage driver was stopped by gunfire” at a car showroom, the spokeswoman said.

He was resuscitated on-site but succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The incident remain under investigation.