At a “festival of diversity” an unknown man stabs people and manages to escape. How did he manage to escape? And what drives him? The investigators provide answers – but leave questions unanswered.
After the fatal knife attack in Solingen, the public prosecutor’s office has not ruled out a terrorist background. No other motive has been identified so far, said senior public prosecutor Markus Caspers at a press conference in Wuppertal. However, many questions remain unanswered after the attack on Friday evening that left three people dead and several injured. These include the exact motive of the fugitive perpetrator, his identity and the role of a 15-year-old who has already been arrested.
The unknown perpetrator apparently randomly stabbed bystanders at an anniversary celebration in the city of Solingen in the Bergisches Land on Friday evening. He then escaped in the tumult and initial panic. Two men aged 67 and 56 and a 56-year-old woman died. Eight people were injured, four of them seriously. Police chief Thorsten Fleiß said that, based on the current situation and after evaluating the first images, it is assumed that it was “a very targeted attack on the neck” of the victims.
Investigators: No other motive than terror is apparent
Senior Public Prosecutor Caspers said: “We have not been able to identify a motive so far, but we assume, given the overall circumstances, that the initial suspicion of a terrorist-motivated act cannot be ruled out.” If there is increasing evidence of a terrorist crime, the Attorney General could consider taking over the case. Investigations are underway on suspicion of murder in three cases and attempted murder in conjunction with grievous bodily harm in a further eight cases, Caspers said.
The police are currently assuming that the attack was carried out by a single perpetrator. “So far, no perpetrator has been identified, so the investigation is being conducted against unknown persons,” said senior public prosecutor Caspers. According to police chief Fleiß, there is still no clearly identified image material of the perpetrator.
A tip-off portal has been set up and “extensive” material is coming in. However, the analysis is still ongoing, “so we cannot publish a specific picture of the perpetrator at the moment because we cannot yet assign it to a specific person.” When asked whether there is any image material of the perpetrator, he has to answer “no” at the moment.
15-year-old accused of failing to report a planned crime
Fleiß did not confirm reports that the murder weapon had already been found. Several knives had been confiscated, “which we will now examine individually.” This will help to determine which one was used in the crime. Many details, such as those relating to the knives or the course of events, remained unanswered for tactical reasons.
A 15-year-old youth has already been arrested, but the police do not believe he is the perpetrator. One possible charge against him is failure to report planned crimes. “According to witness statements, an as yet unknown person is said to have spoken to the youth shortly before the attack about intentions that would be consistent with the crime,” said Caspers.
Police operations are underway throughout North Rhine-Westphalia and the entire country, said police chief Fleiß. He spoke of extensive investigative measures.
The emergency calls were received by the police at 9.37 p.m.
Fleiß described that several emergency calls were received at the control center of the Wuppertal police headquarters on Friday evening at 9:37 p.m. A man had deliberately stabbed people at the festival during Solingen’s 650th anniversary celebrations – the “Festival of Diversity,” it was said.
The Solingen incident caused great concern throughout Germany. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) spoke of a “terrible crime”. “We cannot accept something like this in our society and we must never accept it. The full force of the law must be applied here,” said the SPD politician at an event in Stahnsdorf, Brandenburg.
After a telephone conversation with Solingen’s mayor Tim Kurzbach (SPD), Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “The perpetrator must be held accountable. Let us stand together – against hatred and violence.”
Faeser recently announced tightening of gun laws
Witnesses to the incident can upload cell phone photos and videos via the police’s information portal (www.nrw.hinweisportal.de). The city of Solingen, in turn, set up a hotline for citizens to ask about missing persons (0212 – 290-2000). The police have received an increasing number of inquiries from concerned relatives, it was said.
In view of the increase in knife attacks, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) recently announced a tightening of gun laws. In public, knives with a blade length of up to six centimeters will now be allowed, instead of the previous twelve centimeters. There will be a general ban on dangerous switchblades.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
