German police arrest second person after fatal stabbing

Deborah Cole

A second arrest was made on Saturday in the course of the investigation into a fatal stabbing in the western German city of Solingen, a spokesman said.

The arrest took place during a police operation in a refugee home in Solingen, the spokesman said. No further information about the person or the connection to the incident could be given.

The terrorist militia “Islamic State” claimed responsibility on Saturday for a knife attack in the western German city of Solingen in which three people were killed and eight others injured.

The militant group said in a statement on its Telegram account that the attack was carried out by one of its members “in revenge for Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.”

No evidence was provided to support the claim, and it was not clear how close the attacker’s connection to the Islamic State was. Accounts claiming to be pro-Islamic State have a history of falsely claiming responsibility for atrocities.

German police had previously stated that they did not rule out a “terrorist motive” following the mass stabbing at a folk festival on Friday evening.

Vikram Dodd

The terrorist militia “Islamic State” claimed responsibility on Saturday for a knife attack in the western German city of Solingen in which three people were killed and eight others injured.

The militant group said in a statement on its Telegram account that the attack was carried out by one of its members “in revenge for Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.”

She did not initially provide evidence for her claim and it was not clear how close the connection was between the attacker and the Islamic State.

It is worth noting that in the past, accounts claiming to speak for the Islamic State have falsely claimed responsibility for atrocities.

Since the fall of the caliphate, the group’s internet propaganda has been less spectacular than at the height of its power.

However, there are concerns about a regrouping of elements of the Islamic State, and it remains the dominant designation in the violent jihadist world.

Intelligence agencies throughout the West will examine whether the letters claiming responsibility for the German attack are genuine or not.

This blog is currently paused – but read all of today’s updates below this post and check back later to stay up to date with important developments.

Here’s everything we know so far about last night’s knife attack in Solingen, following this afternoon’s police press conference and confirmation that a 15-year-old is in custody in connection with the attack.

• A 15-year-old has been arrested in connection with an attack that left three people dead and eight injured at a diversity festival in the western German city Solingenthe police said.

• Terrorism as a motive was not ruled out. Prosecutor Markus Caspers said that police suspect terrorism as there was no other obvious motive and the attacker was apparently unknown to the victims.

• It is still unclear whether the 15-year-old was the attacker. German media reported that the teenager is suspected of having spoken to the attacker before the incident.

• The three people killed were two men aged 67 and 56 and a 56-year-old woman.

• Eight others were injured and four are fighting for their lives, police said.

• Police said they found “several knives” in the area and were investigating which, if any, were used in the attack.

• The stabbings occurred during a diversity festival marking the city’s 650th anniversary, which began on Friday and was scheduled to last until Sunday.

• Witnesses alerted the police on Friday evening shortly after 9:30 p.m. when an unknown attacker injured several people with a knife in the city’s central square. Fronhof.

• Authorities have cancelled the rest of the festival weekend. Other festivals in the area scheduled for this weekend have also been cancelled.

• The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholzsaid the perpetrator must be caught quickly and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

• The country’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faesersaid in an update on X that police are still searching for the attacker and trying to determine a motive.

Police said they could not rule out a terrorist motive.

Prosecutor Markus Caspers said the police believe the motive was terrorist. No other motive was apparent and the attacker was apparently unknown to the victims.

The police stated that there was no concrete terrorist threat before the festival and that no large security zone had been set up.

Police said they were still trying to determine the motive but could not rule out terrorism.

They confirmed they had arrested a 15-year-old but said they could not provide any further information.

Police also confirmed that two men and one woman were killed in the attack. The two male victims are said to be 67 and 56 years old, and the deceased woman is 56. Eight other people were injured, four of them seriously.

Police urged the public to avoid speculation about the attack. Anyone with evidence should submit it via the official hotline and not post it on social media.