Grieving banner - Principle Celebration for Slain Mannheim Policeman
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern features several flags at half-mast in front of public buildings on Fridays in memory of a fallen police officer in Mannheim following a knife attack. This was mentioned by Interior Minister Christian Pegel in Schwerin on Thursday. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is participating in the remembrance of the 29-year-old officer who perished after the incident.
At 11:34 am on June 7, 2024, there will be a moment of silence across the Baden-Württemberg State Police, an event that will be also honored by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's State Police. The Baden-Württemberg State Police headquarters, ministries, and the state police buildings will have their flags lowered in memory of the police officer.
Pegel said, "As Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, we stand beside the Baden-Württemberg State Police. This young police officer lost his life while performing his duties, an incomprehensible act a week later. We are mourning his loss." He conveyed his sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased officer.
On May 31, a 25-year-old man stabbed six people during a Pax Europa (BPE) rally at the market square in Mannheim, and the injured police officer succumbed to his wounds on June 2. The assailant, a man with Afghan nationality, attempted to inflict multiple wounds on the officer's head. An additional officer shot the attacker immediately after the attack. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office is now managing the investigation as the suspect is unable to speak due to his injuries.
German Members of Parliament expressed their condolences through a moment of silence on Wednesday. "This officer defended freedom of speech and expression in his service, a noble deed in a free society," said Parliament President Bärbel Bas (SPD). They also collected more than 530,000 euros for the family and relatives of the deceased officer through a crowdfunding platform named gofundme.com.
