German Police Arrest Another Suspect in Deadly Stabbing Attack at Solingen Festival

German police arrested another suspect on Saturday in connection with a stabbing attack at a festival in Solingen that left three people dead and eight others wounded. The arrest came after a man went on a rampage during a celebration marking the 650th anniversary of the city, which is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The attack occurred late Friday night at around 9:40 p.m. local time, when the suspect reportedly targeted the throats of his victims in the Fronhof market square, where live bands were playing. The incident has shocked the community and led to heightened security measures as investigators continue to search for clues.

Herbert Reul, the state’s interior minister, confirmed the arrest on Saturday evening, stating, “We have just arrested the true suspect.” The arrest took place following an intensive police operation that included searches at various locations, including a refugee shelter in Solingen. A second arrest was also made, though details about the individual or their connection to the attack were not immediately provided.

The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement on its official channel, Amaq, the group said the attack was carried out to support “the cause of Palestinians and Muslims” and targeted a gathering of Christians. German authorities, however, have been cautious in labeling the attack as terrorism, with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stopping short of calling it a terror attack, despite strong indications from investigators.

Hendrik Wüst, the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, described the attack as “an act of terror against the security and freedom of this country.” Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz took to social media to demand swift justice, stating, “The perpetrator must be quickly caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

The arrest of the main suspect followed the earlier detention of a 15-year-old boy who was allegedly overheard speaking with the suspect before the attack. Investigators are currently examining whether the knives seized during the operation include the murder weapon, which was found about 200 meters from the site of the attack. Police tracking dogs led officers from the location where the knife was found to the refugee shelter where the suspect was eventually arrested.

During a press conference, Markus Caspers, the chief public prosecutor, revealed that the attack was “a very targeted attack on the neck,” and that terrorism is currently seen as the most likely motive. Despite the Islamic State’s claim, the investigation remains ongoing, with police following multiple leads to determine if there were any other accomplices.

The attack has left the community in mourning, with many struggling to comprehend the violence that took place during what was meant to be a joyous celebration. Five of the eight wounded remain in serious condition, and authorities have canceled the remainder of the weekend festival.

Peter Neumann, a terror expert from King’s College London, commented on the credibility of the Islamic State’s claim, stating that such claims are “95 percent credible.” He emphasized that the next 12 hours would be crucial for the investigation.

The incident has reignited concerns about public safety in Germany, where fatal stabbings and shootings are relatively rare. Earlier this month, the government announced plans to tighten regulations on knives carried in public, reducing the maximum allowed blade length.

In response to the attack, Wuppertal Police Chief Markus Röhrl urged the public not to let fear control their daily lives. “Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they go to festivities, whether they go to football matches, whether they use public transport. The consequence of saying no to all of this would be that they would have to lock themselves in their homes. I can’t recommend that to anyone,” he said.