German police are investigating a violent altercation linked to a bizarre social media challenge that left five men injured. The incident occurred on Easter Saturday in Nördlingen, Bavaria, when a dispute over a viral 'shave your beard' trend escalated into a physical fight.
According to police, the challenge required participants to shave both their heads and facial hair. However, one man, aged 20 to 27, only partially complied, shaving his head but keeping his beard. This decision angered four friends, who launched a dawn raid on his home at around 6:30 am, smashing a window to confront him.
A shouting match quickly turned violent, with one of the attackers ripping a wooden slat from a fence and using it as a weapon. All five men sustained minor injuries. Police have launched an investigation into the four suspected attackers on suspicion of dangerous bodily harm and criminal damage.
A police spokesman said the precise details of the challenge remain unclear but confirmed the violence was linked to the online dare. The incident highlights the risks of social media trends, which have previously led to serious injuries and even deaths, such as the 'chroming' trend that killed a 12-year-old boy in Tameside in May 2025.
