During a Catholic service at the Holy Spirit Church in Hanau, unknown persons fired steel and plastic balls at the building, shattering several windows while around 200 worshippers were inside. One person stated that they had been hit by glass splinters.
On 17 May 2026, during a Sunday Catholic service at the Holy Spirit Church in Hanau, Hesse, unknown persons fired steel and plastic balls at the building, striking multiple windows and causing them to shatter while around 200 worshippers were present inside.
According to police, “The worshippers became aware of the incident through sudden clinking and flying glass splinters. Although no one was injured according to first investigations, one person later stated that they had been hit by glass splinters.” Investigators also found steel and plastic projectiles both inside and outside the church, with visible damage to several window panes.
Authorities believe the objects may have been launched using a slingshot or an airsoft-type weapon, although this has not been confirmed. Surprisingly the police are investigating the incident as a case of criminal damage, claiming that “So far, there is no evidence to suggest that the incident had a religious motive.”