Attack in Park: Knife attack in Aschaffenburg: Suspect in psychiatric hospital

After the knife attack in Aschaffenburg that left two dead, an investigating judge at the district court ordered the suspect to be temporarily placed in a psychiatric hospital. The man is now there, the police and public prosecutor’s office said in a joint press release. According to the information, the detention order was issued at the request of the public prosecutor and after hearing from a psychiatric expert. “Bild” had previously reported on it.

A committal order is usually issued if there is evidence that a suspect was incapable of guilt due to mental illness at the time of the crime. The man is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. According to police and prosecutors, he initially did not comment on the allegations.

The Afghan is said to have killed a two-year-old boy of Moroccan origin and a German (41) in a park in the city on the state border with Hesse on Wednesday afternoon – completely suddenly and deliberately, as Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Hermann (CSU) described.

In addition, according to current findings, a two-year-old girl from Syria was injured three times in the neck area with a kitchen knife. According to authorities, a 72-year-old man suffered multiple injuries to his chest area. A 59-year-old teacher broke her arm in the commotion. The three seriously injured people are still in a hospital. “But they are all out of danger,” said a police spokesman.

The suspect is 28 years old. Police arrested him shortly after the crime. According to Herrmann, the man was required to leave the country. At the beginning of December 2024, he announced to the authorities in writing that he wanted to leave the country – but obviously did not do so. According to Herrmann, the man was “obviously also undergoing psychiatric treatment.” The investigation must show whether his culpability could have been reduced in the crime or whether he was actually incapable of guilt. Among other things, the police are trying to clarify whether the Afghan specifically attacked children in a daycare group.

Several proceedings – also for violence

The man was known to the police and judiciary because of several investigations against him – including violent crimes. As a justice spokeswoman announced, after a physical altercation in an anchor center, i.e. a reception center for asylum seekers, the Schweinfurt district court issued a penalty order with a fine against the man in March 2023 for intentional bodily harm. He received another penalty order from the Aschaffenburg district court for fraud because he was caught with a false ticket.

There is also a case pending at the court in Schweinfurt for damage to property in an anchor center in January 2024. According to the information, two investigations are also ongoing for resistance to law enforcement officers and insults.

Riot at the police station

As the Aschaffenburg public prosecutor announced, the man came to the federal police station in Aschaffenburg in May 2024 and initially asked for help. But then he “hit an officer” with the palm of his hand. When several other officers then took him to the ground, he is said to have released the safety of a gun holster on one of the police officers before handcuffs and ankle cuffs were placed on him. Three police officers were injured. The man is said to have been under the influence of cannabis during the crime.

This investigation has not yet been completed because the authority has commissioned the obtaining of a psychiatric expert report. However, this order was initially suspended because the Central Immigration Office had informed the public prosecutor that the accused wanted to leave the country voluntarily.

In June 2024, the man is said to have completely undressed in front of two police officers on a platform at the main train station in Aschaffenburg and damaged a grit container. In August he is said to have rioted in Alzenau and damaged a car. After the police arrived, he allegedly repeatedly hit his head against the ground. When he was then taken to the clinic, he is said to have kicked paramedics and police officers.

The public prosecutor’s office said that the conditions for an arrest warrant were not met in any of the proceedings – not even for temporary placement in a psychiatric hospital under criminal law.

The Aschaffenburg public prosecutor’s office announced that further proceedings would be conducted by the Frankfurt public prosecutor’s office. In addition, the Aschaffenburg authorities are now investigating the statements of a witness that the man is said to have injured a resident of a refugee accommodation in Alzenau with a knife.

Suspected perpetrator under care since December 2024

As the spokeswoman for the Aschaffenburg District Court further announced, the suspect had been under care since December 9, 2024, “since the person concerned was not in a position to deal with his matter legally due to a mental illness.” The decision should be valid for three years. He did not show up at an agreed appointment with his supervisor. According to the police, he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital twice – in January and May 2024.