Large-scale operation in Mannheim. - Could a man's stabbing incident be motivated by politics?
A man wielding a knife assaulted multiple individuals at a marketplace in Mannheim, as reported by the anti-Islamic group Pax Europa. The attack supposedly targeted their meeting, and shortly after the incident on Friday afternoon, a video emerged online.
In the video, the assailant is shown stabbing several people, believed to be attendees at an event. Witnesses in the video can be heard shouting, "Take the knife away." The attacker also injured a police officer, depicted in the footage. According to sources in law enforcement, the officer is in critical condition and will need surgery. Pax Europa's treasurer, Stefanie Kizina, disclosed that their board member Michael Stürzenberger was also wounded in the attack.
Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) mentioned that the investigation would uncover the reason for the attack, including the assailant's background and motivations. If the circumstances indicate an Islamic connection, she emphasized, it would serve as more evidence of the grave danger posed by Islamic violence, which they have previously warned about.
The marketplace was subsequently cordoned off, and a large-scale operation was initiated. Kizina revealed to the "Bild" newspaper that Stürzenberger had sustained injuries to his leg and face; his life is not in danger. In the video, it is also seen that a police officer fires at the attacker, who is eventually pinned to the ground by several officers. The assailant was reportedly wounded as well. The Mannheim marketplace is situated centrally in the city of about 300,000 residents in north Baden-Württemberg.
Kizina said, "The attack occurred before the event even began, indicating that it was planned in advance." A representative from the city of Mannheim confirmed that a Friday morning event had been requested by the organization.
The area was swiftly enclosed with red-white tape, barriers were erected, and a nearby tram station was shut down. Emergency medical services and a rescue helicopter were deployed to treat the injured, and investigators were securing evidence. The precise number of individuals hurt couldn't be established by the police, but they were being taken to hospitals. The nature of their injuries was characterized as "partially serious." The perpetrator's motives and any potential political context were still under investigation by the Baden-Württemberg Criminal Investigation Office, the spokesperson added. Evidence collection efforts are ongoing at the marketplace. There is no threat to the public.
Mannheim's Mayor, Christian Specht (CDU), expressed his dismay, stating, "This brutal attack stuns and shocks us, leaving us speechless. I share my thoughts with the injured police officer and the other victims." Simultaneously, he urged the public to refrain from speculating and await the results of the investigation.
