Massive Manhunt Underway After Knife Attack at German Festival Kills Three, Injures Eight
A large-scale search is underway for an unidentified man who killed three people and injured at least eight others in a knife attack at a festival in Solingen, Germany.
Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Markus Caspers from the counterterrorism section of the public prosecutor's office confirmed that authorities have not yet located the perpetrator. However, a 15-year-old boy, believed by police to have had prior knowledge of the attack, was arrested earlier in the day.
Authorities are not ruling out terrorism as a possible motive behind the attack. Police believe a lone attacker was responsible. "So far, we have not been able to identify a motive, but we are considering all possibilities," Caspers said.
Thorsten Fleiss, the chief of police operations on Friday night, stated that extensive searches and investigations are ongoing throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. An online portal has been established where witnesses can upload footage and provide information related to the attack.
Fleiss acknowledged the challenge of piecing together available evidence and witness testimonies. Authorities have described the three victims as a 67-year-old man, a 56-year-old man, and a 56-year-old woman. The identities of the victims have not been released. Of the eight wounded, four are reported to be seriously injured.
Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach expressed the city's grief on social media, stating, "We all wanted to celebrate our city anniversary together, and now we must mourn the dead and injured." The attack took place during Solingen's 650th anniversary celebration, known as the "Festival of Diversity," which featured live music, cabaret, and acrobatics.
The stabbing occurred in front of one of the festival's stages, where, shortly after 9:30 p.m., attendees alerted police to the presence of the attacker. Philipp Müller, one of the festival organizers, took to the stage after the attack to urge festivalgoers to remain calm and vigilant as the perpetrator had not yet been apprehended.
Hours later, police and forensic investigators continued to search the cordoned-off area for clues, while well-wishers set up a memorial with flowers and candles at the scene. Authorities have warned the public to stay vigilant.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, calling for the swift capture and punishment of the perpetrator. "The attack in Solingen is a terrible event that has shocked me greatly. ... We mourn the victims and stand by their families," Scholz said on X.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also expressed his shock, stating, "The heinous act in Solingen shocks me and our country. We mourn those killed and worry about those injured. The perpetrator needs to be brought to justice."
In response to rising concerns over knife violence, Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has recently proposed stricter weapons laws, reducing the maximum blade length permitted in public from 5 inches to about 2.4 inches.
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