A man suspected of carrying out a deadly stabbing rampage in Solingen, Germany, has been taken into police custody, according to North Rhine-Westphalia's interior minister, Herbert Reul. The attack, which occurred on Friday during a festival celebrating the town's 650th anniversary, resulted in the deaths of three people and left eight others wounded. After a day-long manhunt, Reul expressed relief at the suspect's capture, following a lead that ultimately led to the arrest. The suspect, reportedly affiliated with a refugee home, is currently being questioned, and evidence has been seized.
The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack, referring to the assailant as a "soldier of the Islamic State" in a statement on its Telegram account. IS claimed that the attack was carried out as revenge for Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere, although they provided no immediate evidence to support this assertion. The nature of the relationship between the attacker and IS remains unclear. The incident is being treated as a possible terrorist act by German authorities, as the victims appeared to be unrelated and there was no other known motive for the attack.
Hendrik Wuest, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, condemned the attack as an act of terror that had struck at the heart of the region. The attack occurred in the Fronhof market square, where live bands were performing as part of the anniversary celebrations. Authorities are continuing their investigation to fully understand the suspect's motivations and any potential connections to terrorist organizations.
Comment: