Arrests made after mass shootout in western German Duisburg

State Interior Minister Reul called images from a turf war between Hell's Angels and a Turkish-Arab clan "shocking." Four people were injured and 15 arrests were made, authorities said as they opened an investigation.

Addressing reporters Thursday, North Rhine-Westphalia's (NRW) Interior Minister Herbert Reul spoke of "shocking images," witnessed in the aftermath of a mass shootout in the western German city of Duisburg.

The incident, which erupted shortly before 9:00 p.m. (19:00 UTC) Wednesday evening in Duisburg's northern Hamborn neighborhood, involved between 80 and 100 individuals from the Hell's Angels motor

cycle gang and a Turkish-Arab crime gang that authorities did not name.

Interior Minister Reul said police were on the scene within four minutes of receiving emergency calls. It is unclear what precipitated the incident, but

police say they recovered at least 19 shell casings fired from 9mm handguns at the scene.

Four individuals were injured, two seriously. Fifteen have been arrested.

Police also carried out house searches through the night, though they say the individuals and their families being sought had fled their homes before special forces officers arrived.

Reul, up for reelection, says 'Clan crime is not a PR invention'

Reul told reporters, "Last night clearly shows how important it is that we stay on the ball with this problem. Clan crime is not a PR invention. It is a major problem that terrifies people, especially here in the Ruhr Valley. Keeping quiet about it isn't a solution."

A 15-person homicide squad has begun an investigation into the incident.

Duisburg's new Police Chief Alexander Dierselhuis, known as a crime clan expert, told reporters, "Duisburg hasn't seen incidents like this for a long

time."

"We have various videos, some of very good quality, so we hope we will be able to investigate beyond the 15 suspects [currently in custody]," said Dierselhuis.

The chief, who took over the job on April 1, said he didn't expect further escalations: "At this point in our investigation there isn't much to suggest that.

Police secured 19 shell casings at the crime scene where four were injured on the streets of Duisburg Wednesday

NRW State Interior Minister Reul (CDU) said it was 'important to stay on the ball' when it comes to 'terrifying' clan crime