At 8.00 a.m. on 20 June, Ketteler, together with his interpreter and other associates, headed for the Zongli Yamen (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) accompanied by armed escorts. At the western end of Xizongbu Hutong, only one block away from the ministry, the party was intercepted by a cart with what appeared to be Chinese Imperial lancers, though another source states they were Manchu Hushenying bannerman. One of them approached Ketteler's palanquin and shot Ketteler at point blank range. Ketteler was specifically targeted by the Manchu captain En Hai for assassination, in revenge for Ketteler having murdered the boy.