In a tragic incident in Aschaffenburg, Germany, a 28-year-old Afghan man, believed to be an asylum seeker with mental health issues, attacked a childcare group in Schoenthal Park, fatally stabbing a 2-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man. The attack occurred around 11:45 a.m., as the suspect followed the group before launching his assault. Police arrested him nearby and seized the weapon. Two others sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment. The motive remains unclear, and authorities have launched an investigation, urging witnesses to come forward. Bavaria’s governor condemned the attack, calling it a “vile and despicable act.”
In a terrifying incident in Germany, a person believed to be an asylum seeker ambushed a childcare group with a knife and stabbed a 2-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man to death.
The children and adults were killed in Schoenthal Park in the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg. Germanyaround 11:45 a.m.
Local police revealed: “28 year old male, Afghanistan arrested nearby crime scene’.
According to SpiegelThe alleged perpetrator is a male asylum seeker who is said to have had mental health problems.
The news agency reported that the Afghan, whose name is Enamullah O., was born in 1997 and lives in an asylum in the region.
Investigators said the suspect had already shown mental health issues in the past.
The suspect was said to have been tailing a day care group of five young children before launching the attack, according to the Main-Echo.
Witnesses told the Maine Echo that the arrested man was taken away “in a headlock.”
Rescuers and security personnel are seen near the crime scene in Aschaffenburg, Germany
Police and ambulances were pictured near the scene in Aschaffenburg’s Schoenthal Park.
Witnesses told the Maine Echo that the arrested man was taken away “in a headlock.”
Police confirmed that two people were killed and two others were seriously injured in the attack, who are currently being treated in hospital.
Police said, “Two people suffered fatal injuries,” and “two people with serious injuries are being treated at a hospital.”
“The suspect was arrested very close to the crime scene.”
Police said the second person arrested is a witness and is being questioned.
He added that there was “no indication of any other suspects” and there was no further danger to the public.
Police also said an investigation into the “criminal background” was ongoing.
The Main-Echo reported that the Aschaffenburg nursery school teachers were taking their five young children on a regional trip to Schontal.
“The attackers were said to have been following the group. The teachers became aware of this and wanted to leave Schoenthal,” the news site said.
“As they tried to leave, the man allegedly attacked the group with a knife. He was clearly targeting children.
“One of the teachers was injured and is currently hospitalized, while the other is receiving psychological care.
“The other children are currently being taken in by their parents and receiving psychological care.”
In a press release after the incident, Lower Franconia regional police confirmed that “immediately after the incident became known, Aschaffenburg police launched an extensive search for the suspect with the support of surrounding departments.”
“A 28-year-old man was arrested nearby. The knife believed to have been used in the crime was seized.”
The motive for the attack is still unknown and police are asking people not to speculate.
German police secure park where two people, one of them a child, were killed in knife attack in Aschaffenburg earlier today
Rescue vehicles seen near the crime scene in Aschaffenburg
Police said a large area covering Schoenthal Park was sealed off and rail traffic in the area was temporarily suspended.
According to German news agency dpa, train services in the town were temporarily suspended as the suspect attempted to flee along the railway tracks. However, he was quickly detained, police wrote on social media platform X.
They also did not provide details about how the attack occurred.
Bavaria’s governor condemned the attack, calling it “a terrible day for the whole state of Bavaria.”
“We mourn the victims of a vile and despicable act. We mourn the death of a small, innocent child who was mortally wounded,” Markus Söder wrote to X.
“We mourn the loss of our supporters who paid with their lives for their civic courage.”
“The circumstances of this unthinkable act need to be fully clarified,” he added. “But now it’s time to stop and think. It just hurts. We pray for the victims and their families. We hope all those injured make a quick and full recovery.”
German Interior Minister Nancy Feser expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and vowed that “the investigation will uncover the context of this horrific act of violence.”
“My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the parents of the children who were killed. This could not be worse news for them,” she said. “We also extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who lost his life in this brutal act.”
According to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the suspect is believed to have tried to escape by running along nearby train tracks.
In November, police designated some parks in the city center as “dangerous areas” due to an increase in “drug-related crimes” including robberies and assaults.
It was reported that there were regular patrols in the area, which may be why the suspect was arrested so quickly.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward and share relevant photos and videos as their investigation into the attack continues.
