Helmut P. tried to reach the West through the Sophien parish cemetery because the cemetery offered him cover. Two border soldiers at Ackerstraße discovered him when he pulled himself up onto the cemetery wall. They called out to him to stop and both fired at him, but he was able to get over the wall. Traces of blood were found on the wall and on pieces of clothing left behind. According to information from West Berlin police, P. was injured by the shots.