The German authorities have held a press conference with the current information on the investigation of the knife attack with three fatalities and several injuries, some seriously.
The attack occurred Friday night during the “Diversity Festival,” an event celebrating the city’s 650th anniversary. The aggressor, armed with a knife, attacked several people in Fronhof Square, specifically aiming for their throats.
The fatalities are two men aged 67 and 56, and a woman aged 56. Of the eight injuredFour are in serious condition.
Police have arrested a 15-year-old boysuspected of having prior knowledge of the attack. The teenager, originally from Kyrgyzstan, was arrested at a refugee shelter and has refused to testify.
According to witnesses, the attacker shouted “Allah Akbar” during the incident, which may suggest he is Muslim. Some reports suggest that the suspect is known in Solingen and frequents a local mosque.
Reaction of the authorities
Prosecutor Markus Caspers stated that although a clear motive has not yet been established, “the possibility of terrorism cannot be ruled out given the general circumstances.”
North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst called the incident an “act of terror.” The chancellor Olaf Scholz He expressed his shock and called for the perpetrator to be caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Impact on the community
The mayor of Solingen of 160,000 inhabitants and located between Colonia and Dusseldorf, Tim Kurzbach, expressed the city’s pain: “Last night our hearts were broken. In Solingen we are full of dismay and pain. What happened yesterday in our city barely lets us sleep.”
The festival was canceled after the attackand authorities have established an online portal for witnesses to upload videos and other relevant information. The investigation is ongoing and, at the moment, the attacker has not been arrested.
