Authorities are currently examining a lethal stabbing incident taking place in Solingen.
The radical group ISIS claimed responsibility for the violent act that occurred in the urban area of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a suspect under arrest who reportedly had residency in a refugee home near the crime scene's heart in Solingen's city center. As per the Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Herbert Reul (CDU), the individual under investigation is under intense scrutiny.
Reul went further, stating that it wasn't simply a hunch, but they had solid information and evidence against this individual. The Düsseldorf police reported on Saturday night that the suspect had willingly surrendered to the authorities on Saturday evening. He allegedly admitted responsibility for the brutal attack at the city festival in Solingen on Friday night.
According to the "Welt" newspaper, citing official sources, the suspect was supposed to have been deported from Germany last year. His asylum application had been denied, and he was to be deported to Bulgaria, where he had entered the EU. This hasn't been formally confirmed yet. The "Bild" newspaper, however, reported that the suspect had resided in Germany for two years.
Prior to the suspect's apprehension, ISIS had claimed responsibility for the stabbing incident. An ISIS fighter was said to have carried out the attack "on a gathering of Christians in the city of Solingen in Germany" on Friday, as per the IS propaganda platform Amaq, announced via the Telegram messaging service. The attacker reportedly avenged Muslims in the Palestinian territories and beyond.
Reul commented on the ISIS claim, noting that it warranted thorough examination. "We frequently receive such claims. They're usually accurate, but of course, they could also be fabricated," Reul, the CDU politician, stated. "But there's something to it."
The city of Solingen announced a memorial service for Sunday. Instead of the scheduled celebration of the city's 650th anniversary, a memorial service will be held in the morning at the city church on the Fronhof, as per the city's website.
A memorial event was already held on Saturday evening at Neumarkt in Solingen, with Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) and North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) in attendance.
Before the suspect's arrest, police had already detained an individual in a refugee home in Solingen on Saturday. On Saturday morning, a 15-year-old was also taken into custody, who was potentially linked to the suspect. According to police reports, both are currently considered as witnesses.
The attacker allegedly attacked numerous individuals randomly with a knife at a city festival in Solingen on Friday night. Three people were killed - a 67-year-old, a 56-year-old, and another 56-year-old. Four victims were critically injured, along with two others seriously and two slightly.
The incident caused widespread shock in the nation. Minister President Wüst labeled it as "an act of terrorism." Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) described the attack as a "terrible incident." He was "extremely shocked," Scholz wrote on the X messaging service. The attacker must be "caught and punished swiftly with the full force of the law."
The memorial service for the victims of the violent attack in Solingen is scheduled for Sunday.In light of the attack, the 650th anniversary celebration in the city has been cancelled, and the memorial service will take place at the city church on the Fronhof.
