Gerd L. attempted to flee to the West near Brunnenstraße on January 15, 1966. He lived near the Wall on Strelitzer Straße. The border guards did not notice him until he was in the border strip that was under construction. The squad leader E. left the tower to intercept him and from a distance of about a hundred meters ordered him to halt. Gerd L. continued moving towards Brunnenstraße, which led E. to fire several warning shots. Gerd L. turned around and hid in the building at Brunnenstraße 141. The East German police pointed out Gerd L.’s hiding place to the border soldiers who were pursuing him. He was arrested on the top floor of the building and handed over to the East German police.