German police have detained two individuals, including a 15-year-old boy, following a stabbing incident at a music festival in Solingen. The attack resulted in the deaths of three individuals, while eight others sustained injuries, four of whom are in critical condition. At this time, the perpetrator is still at large. The victims of the attack were identified as two men aged 67 and 57, and a woman aged 56.
In a disturbing development, ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, it remains unclear whether the attacker had direct ties to the terrorist group or its affiliates. Authorities are actively investigating the extent of any potential affiliations.
The 15-year-old suspect, who was taken into custody in the early hours following the incident, is currently accused of “failure to report planned crimes.” However, he has not yet been formally charged. During a press conference, Markus Caspers, the Duesseldorf prosecutor general, revealed that two female witnesses overheard a conversation between the teenager and another individual that could have indicated the impending attack. These witnesses promptly reported the information to the police after the incident.
Later in the day, police acted on a tip and conducted a search at a refugee housing complex near the festival area. As a result, a second person was arrested in connection with the stabbing attack. Authorities have not disclosed the relationship between this individual and the attack, nor have they confirmed whether this person is the perpetrator.
Police continue to search various locations and are actively seeking potential perpetrators. While initial investigations suggest that the attacker acted alone, an extensive search is underway to ensure all individuals involved are apprehended.
At the crime scene, police discovered several knives, leading them to believe that the attacker specifically targeted the necks of his victims. The motive behind the attack is still under investigation. However, authorities have confirmed that the victims did not have any apparent connections to each other. This has led investigators to suspect that the attack may have been an act of terrorism.
The music festival, known as the “Festival of Diversity,” was organized to celebrate Solingen’s 650th anniversary and was scheduled to take place throughout the weekend. Prior to the festival, police had not received any information regarding a potential threat. As a result, no surveillance zones or similar security measures were in place. In light of this incident, authorities have pledged to enhance security concepts in the future to prevent similar attacks.
The investigation into the Solingen music festival stabbing is ongoing, and authorities are determined to bring all those responsible to justice. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety of public events.
