German Police Capture Suspect in Solingen Stabbing Spree
A man suspected of a deadly stabbing spree in Solingen, a city in western Germany, has been apprehended by police, according to North Rhine-Westphalia’s interior minister, Herbert Reul. The arrest took place roughly 24 hours after the attack, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals.
Reul revealed to ARD television that authorities had been pursuing a “promising lead” that eventually led to the suspect’s capture. Prior to this, police had conducted a citywide manhunt, arresting two individuals, but later determined they were not the perpetrator.
“The person we’ve just arrested is indeed the suspect we were seeking,” Reul confirmed, noting that the individual was being interrogated and that evidence had been collected. Police have not yet made a public statement.
Earlier, German authorities had not ruled out the possibility of a “terrorist motive” behind the mass stabbing, which occurred at a festival on Friday night. The suspect reportedly attacked people at random in a crowd gathered to celebrate Solingen’s 650th anniversary.
During a Saturday press briefing, police disclosed the arrest of a 15-year-old at his parents’ home on suspicion of failing to report a crime. Public prosecutor Markus Caspers mentioned that the teenager allegedly communicated with the assailant shortly before the attack. A second arrest occurred at a refugee home in Solingen, but details about this individual’s involvement remain unclear.
The attack claimed the lives of a 56-year-old woman and two men, aged 56 and 67. Eight others were injured, with four in serious condition. Authorities have recovered at least one weapon believed to have been used in the assault and are analyzing it for DNA evidence.
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his shock over the “horrific event” and extended his condolences to the grieving city. Scholz emphasized the importance of quickly apprehending the perpetrator and ensuring they face the full force of the law.
The incident took place during a festival intended to run through Sunday, drawing crowds of up to 25,000 people daily. The event featured live performances, cabaret acts, and activities for children, but was abruptly canceled following the attack. Security efforts included roadblocks and helicopter searches as the suspect initially fled the scene.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and terror. Sascha Mosig, a security guard working his first night on the job, recounted seeing people covered in blood running toward him, shouting “Knife.” Another witness, Lars Breitzke, recalled seeing bodies and pools of blood near the stage where the attack occurred.
The German DJ Topic, who was performing at the festival, shared his distress on Instagram, describing how he continued playing his set to prevent panic, even as the attack unfolded nearby.
Solingen, a city with a population of 160,000, is located near Düsseldorf and Cologne. The attack is part of a troubling trend in Germany, which has seen a rise in knife-related violence over the past year. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has recently pledged to address this issue with stricter weapons laws.
