While making a stop in Prague to visit with Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, Merkel’s motorcade had a close call when police made numerous attempts to stop a car from making its way towards the German Chancellor.
“He tried to join the procession at all costs”
“The driver of the Mercedes refused to obey orders coming from police cars accompanying the German chancellor. He tried to join the procession at all costs, cutting off a police vehicle that was trying to stop him,” police spokesman Josef Bocan said in a statement. “He only stopped and got out of the vehicle after police warned him that they were going to shoot.”
There have been conflicting reports on what the man had with him, aside from the car, that could have threatened Merkel’s life, but police were under the assumption that there was an intent to harm a political official.
Blesk, a local news outlet, reported that police found a baton, tear gas, cement blocks and handcuffs in the car.
Local police are still investigating the man’s plans and currently have him in custody.