In a significant development in the Solingen knife attack case, German police have arrested a 15-year-old suspect on Saturday morning, August 24, 2024. The arrest comes after a brutal attack at the ‘Festival of Diversity’ on Friday evening, which left three people dead and eight others injured, five of them seriously.According to police reports, the suspect was identified after witnesses reported that he had spoken with an unknown person about a similar attack before the incident. Importantly, authorities have also located the murder weapon in a trash can in the city center. However, it’s crucial to note that while the teenager has been arrested, he is not necessarily considered the attacker at this point.Oberstaatsanwalt Markus Caspers, leading the investigation, stated, ‘We cannot rule out the possibility of a terroristically motivated crime.’ The police are still investigating the motive behind the attack and have not ruled out terrorism as a potential factor.The victims have been identified as two men aged 67 and 56, and a 56-year-old woman. Witnesses reported that the attacker specifically targeted people’s throats, indicating a clear intent to kill.In response to the tragedy, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, saying, ‘We cannot accept such things in our society and must take action with the full force of the law.’ The festival, which was meant to celebrate Solingen’s 650th anniversary, has been canceled.As the investigation continues, authorities have set up an online portal for witnesses to submit information or footage related to the attack. The community of Solingen is in shock, with Mayor Tim-Oliver Kurzbach expressing that they are ‘in a state of shock, horror, and great sadness’.This incident has reignited discussions about knife crime in Germany, with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser previously announcing plans to tighten gun laws in response to a rise in knife attacks.
Key points
- A 15-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the Solingen knife attack that left three dead and eight injured.
- The murder weapon was found in a trash can in the city center.
- Authorities are investigating a possible terrorist motive, though no clear evidence has been found yet.
- The ‘Festival of Diversity’ celebrating Solingen’s 650th anniversary has been canceled in the wake of the attack.
Contradictions👾While most sources report the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect, there are conflicting reports about whether this individual is considered the attacker or someone who knew about the attack but failed to report it.
