A man suspected of carrying out a stabbing spree in the German city of Solingen has been apprehended by police, nearly 24 hours after the attack that claimed three lives. North Rhine-Westphalia's interior minister, Herbert Reul, confirmed the arrest on Saturday, following an intensive manhunt.
Reul revealed that authorities pursued a significant lead throughout the day, culminating in the suspect's capture. The individual is currently being interrogated, and evidence has been collected, although police have yet to release further details.
The attack, which took place during a festival in Solingen's city center on Friday night, left three people dead and eight others injured, four of them seriously. The victims, identified as a 56-year-old woman and two men aged 56 and 67, were reportedly targeted at random by the assailant, who used a knife in the frenzied assault.
Earlier in the day, authorities detained a 15-year-old boy at his parents' home on suspicion of failing to report the crime. Another arrest was made at a refugee residence in Solingen, though details about the individual's connection to the incident remain undisclosed.
Public prosecutor Markus Caspers stated that a "terrorist motive" could not be ruled out, given that the suspect appeared to have no prior connection to the victims. This concern is partly based on the fact that the attacker targeted strangers at a public event.
The festival, which was celebrating Solingen's 650th anniversary, had drawn thousands of attendees. The remainder of the event was promptly canceled following the attack, and surrounding festivities in nearby towns were also called off as a precaution.
Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his shock at the incident, stating that he was "deeply saddened by this terrible event" and extended his condolences to the victims and their families. Scholz emphasized the importance of swiftly bringing the perpetrator to justice, promising that they would be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
As the investigation continues, police have urged the public to share any information or footage related to the attack via a dedicated website and hotline, cautioning against posting videos directly on social media. Authorities deployed a significant police presence, including helicopters and road checkpoints, to locate the suspect, who initially fled the scene.
The stabbing spree has further intensified the debate over knife violence in Germany, which has seen a rise in such incidents over the past year. Interior Minister Reul cautioned against premature speculation regarding the suspect's background, while acknowledging the profound shock and horror felt by the community.
One of the witnesses, security guard Sascha Mosig, described the chaotic scene as people fled in terror, some covered in blood. "Blood was everywhere," he recounted, comparing the scene to images of war. Another witness, Lars Breitzke, recalled seeing multiple victims and pools of blood near the stage where the attack occurred.
Solingen, a city of approximately 160,000 residents, is located near Cologne and Düsseldorf. The tragic event has cast a somber pall over the community, which is now grappling with the aftermath of the senseless violence.
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