German Teen Detained Over Knowledge of Solingen Knife Attack
German authorities have detained a 15-year-old boy in connection with a deadly knife attack that took place in Solingen, a city in western Germany. The teenager is not considered the primary suspect but is believed to have had prior knowledge of the attack.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Friday during a local festival celebrating Solingen’s 650th anniversary, resulted in the deaths of two men, aged 56 and 67, and a 56-year-old woman. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack as a “horrific act.”
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although no evidence has been provided to confirm any direct connection with the attacker.
Police launched a raid on a refugee home in Solingen on Saturday evening as part of their ongoing investigation. The 15-year-old boy was detained following a tip-off from two women who reported overhearing a conversation between him and another individual discussing the attack before it happened.
While the teenager is currently in custody, investigators are still working to identify the person who carried out the attack. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the attack was an act of terrorism, although the motive remains unclear.
Chief of Police Markus Röhrl has urged the public not to engage in speculation on social media and has called for anyone with information to come forward. He also mentioned that several knives were found, and investigators are determining if any were used in the attack.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the attacker reportedly stabbed people at random, targeting their throats and necks. The situation was further complicated by the large crowd gathered for the festival, making it difficult for police to apprehend the perpetrator immediately.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for the swift capture and prosecution of the attacker. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and assured that security forces are doing everything possible to find the person responsible and uncover the motive behind this senseless violence.
Solingen, located about 25 kilometers east of Düsseldorf and known for its historic steel industry, is home to around 160,000 residents. The city’s mayor, Tim Kurzbach, expressed his deep sorrow over the attack in a Facebook post, saying, “Tonight, all of us in Solingen are in shock, horror, and great sadness. My heart breaks for those we have lost, and my thoughts are with those still fighting for their lives.”
The city authorities have asked residents to avoid the Fronhof market area, where the attack took place, as investigations continue.
