Police confirm arrest of 15-year-old in connection with attack
Police said they were still trying to determine the motive but could not rule out terrorism.
They confirmed the arrest of a 15-year-old but said they could not provide any further information.
Police also confirmed that two men and one woman were killed in the attack. The two male victims are said to be 67 and 56 years old, and the deceased woman is 56. Eight other people were injured, four of them seriously.
Police urged the public to avoid speculation about the attack. Anyone with evidence should submit it via the official hotline and not post it on social media.
Important events
When asked about the suspicion that the attacker had specifically aimed at people’s necks, the police confirmed that it was a “very targeted attack” on people’s throats.
When asked about speculation on social media that there were multiple attackers, the police chief said officers do not believe anyone else was involved in the attack.
He appealed to the public for more information and asked people not to speculate or share information on social media.
Police said they found several knives in the area but did not yet know which, if any, were used in the attack.
German media had previously reported that a weapon had been found in a trash can in Solingen city center.
Police confirm arrest of 15-year-old in connection with attack
Police said they were still trying to determine the motive but could not rule out terrorism.
They confirmed the arrest of a 15-year-old but said they could not provide any further information.
Police also confirmed that two men and one woman were killed in the attack. The two male victims are said to be 67 and 56 years old, and the deceased woman is 56. Eight other people were injured, four of them seriously.
Police urged the public to avoid speculation about the attack. Anyone with evidence should submit it via the official hotline and not post it on social media.
A press conference by the Düsseldorf police and public prosecutor’s office is currently taking place in Wuppertal, a city near Solingen.
According to German media, the suspected murder weapon of the knife attack was found in a trash can in Solingen city center.
According to German police, one person was arrested in connection with the attack
Reuters reports that German police have arrested a person and are investigating whether there is a connection between him and the knife attack in Solingen.
We will inform you as soon as we have further information.
In neighboring towns, celebrations for this weekend have been canceled.
The Festival of Cultures planned for Saturday and Sunday in Hilden, about eleven kilometers from Solingen, has been canceled. Mayor Claus Pommer said in a statement: “We are appalled and deeply saddened by the terrible events that shook our neighboring town of Solingen yesterday…”
Due to the security situation, but above all out of compassion for the people of our neighboring town, we have decided to cancel the Hilden Festival of Cultures.”
The wine festival in Haan, around eight kilometers from Solingen, was also canceled at the weekend. “We are thinking together of the relatives of the dead and hope and pray for those who are still fighting for their lives,” said Mayor Bettina Warnecke. “We cannot celebrate when our neighboring town is mourning just a few kilometers away.”
The Social Democrats (SPD) in Germany have called for a knife ban following the attack in Solingen.
“It is clear to me that our security authorities need more powers to identify such perpetrators at an early stage, especially in the digital space,” said the deputy chairman of the SPD parliamentary group, Dirk Wiese, to the Rheinische Post, as reported by Der Spiegel. “We also need to finally make progress on knife bans.”
“More knife-free zones, an extension of the knife ban for criminals, a ban on carrying knives on buses and trains and rapid prosecution of violations,” demanded Wiese.
He expressed his shock and outrage “about the alleged terrorist attack on the city festival in Solingen”.
The footage shows the moment revellers were asked to leave yesterday’s event after the tragedy came to light.
As you can see below, Philipp Müller, organizer of the Solingen Diversity Festival, addresses the festival visitors directly from the stage.
“We have many seriously injured people,” he says, as the audience gasps
Police question victims and witnesses
Further information is now available from police investigating the incident, which occurred at around 9:40 p.m. local time on Friday.
We are still awaiting details on the victims, but officers have now announced that they are interviewing those involved. Police remain at the scene as you can see in the picture below.
We know that eight people were injured and three were killed – but there is still no indication of the motive.
“Both victims and witnesses are currently being questioned. The police are currently conducting a major search for the perpetrator,” the officials said in a statement.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen A statement on X reads: “Deeply shocked by the brutal and insidious attack in Solingen. My thoughts are with the relatives of the dead and injured, to whom I wish a speedy recovery. We need clarity about the background to this act as soon as possible.”
Von der Leyen is a German politician. She held cabinet posts in Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic (CDU) government, including as Minister of Defense.
People have started laying flowers and candles at the crime scene in Solingen.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke to the mayor of Solingen this morning.
In a statement, Steinmeier said: “The heinous act in Solingen shocks me and our country. We mourn the dead and worry about the injured. I wish them strength and a speedy recovery from the bottom of my heart.”
“The perpetrator must be brought to justice. Let us stand together against hatred and violence.”
The band that was scheduled to play on stage near the attack site released a statement on Facebook.
The Udo Lindenberg tribute band “Der Udonaut und die Paniker” was supposed to play on the Fronhof stage at 10 p.m. The attack occurred at around 9:40 p.m. and the performance was cancelled.
The band announced: “We were supposed to play at the Fronhof in Solingen tonight,” the band wrote on Facebook. “Unfortunately, the festival was interrupted by a gruesome attack at this very place. We are safe! Please take care of yourselves.”
