SOLINGEN, Germany — German police said early Sunday that a 26-year-old man turned himself in, claiming to be behind the deadly Solingen knife attack that left three dead and eight wounded at a festival marking the city’s 650th anniversary.
Düsseldorf police said in a joint statement with the prosecutor’s office that the man “stated that he was responsible for the attack,” adding he had been arrested before, but didn’t provide details. “This person’s involvement in the crime is currently being intensively investigated,” the statement said.
On Saturday the Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, without providing evidence. The extremist group said on its news site that the attacker targeted Christians and that he carried out the assaults Friday night “to avenge Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.” The claim couldn’t be independently verified.
Officials had earlier said a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion he knew about the planned attack and failed to inform authorities, but that he was not the attacker. Two female witnesses told police they overheard the boy and an unknown person before the attack speaking about intentions that corresponded to the bloodshed, officials said.
People alerted police shortly after 9:30 p.m. local time Friday that a man had assaulted several people with a knife on the city’s central square, the Fronhof. The three people killed were two men aged 67 and 56 and a 56-year-old woman, authorities said. Police said the attacker appeared to have deliberately aimed for his victims’ throats.
Solingen, a city of about 160,000 residents near the bigger cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf, was holding a “Festival of Diversity” to celebrate its anniversary. It began Friday and was supposed to run through Sunday, with several stages in central streets offering attractions such as live music, cabaret and acrobatics. The attack took place in front of one stage.
The festival was canceled as police looked for clues in the cordoned-off square.
The IS militant group declared its caliphate in large parts of Iraq and Syria about a decade ago, but now holds no control over any land and has lost many prominent leaders. The group is mostly out of global news headlines.
Still, it continues to recruit members and claim responsibility for deadly attacks around the world, including lethal operations in Iran and Russia earlier this year that killed dozens of people. Its sleeper cells in Syria and Iraq still carry out attacks on government forces in both countries as well as U.S.-backed Syrian fighters.
German police have reported that a man has turned himself in, confessing to being responsible for a deadly knife attack that shocked the nation. The incident occurred in a busy shopping district in the city of Hamburg, where several people were injured and one person was killed.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released to the public, walked into a police station and admitted to carrying out the attack. He reportedly told authorities that he had been struggling with mental health issues and had been planning the attack for some time.
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but authorities are investigating whether it was a random act of violence or if the suspect had a specific target in mind. The man is currently in police custody and is cooperating with the investigation.
The deadly knife attack has reignited concerns about public safety in Germany, especially in light of recent terrorist attacks in Europe. The country has been on high alert since a series of attacks in 2016, including a truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin that left 12 people dead.
German officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities. They have also emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing support to those who may be at risk of carrying out violent acts.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the need for increased security measures and mental health resources in communities across Germany. It also highlights the importance of early intervention and support for individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues.
As the investigation into the deadly knife attack continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the incident and determine the best course of action moving forward. In the meantime, the community is coming together to mourn the loss of the victim and support those affected by the senseless act of violence.
