1 of 3 | Bloodied bricks show where some stabbing victims were treated after the Friday-nigh attack that killed three and wounded eight others in Solingen, Germany. Photo by Volker Hartmann/EPA-EFE
The Islamic State militant group on Saturday claimed responsibility for the deadly stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, during a “Festival of Diversity” Friday night.
ISIS, in a Telegram post, did not provide proof of its claim but said the attack was done in retaliation by a “soldier of the Islamic State” for the deaths of “Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.” Advertisement
German law enforcement officers are searching for a lone male suspect in the stabbing attack done during the festival in Solingen.
The suspect killed three and wounded eight others, five of whom have serious injuries, police from nearby Dusseldorf told media.
The dead are two men, ages 56 and 67, and a 56-year-old woman.
The deadly knife attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. local time by a single suspect for whom police have very little information.
Local law enforcement said they don’t have a clear description of the suspect other than he is a lone male. They also can’t confirm or deny if the attack is an act of terrorism and have no known motive.
Police arrested a 15-year-old boy but said he is not the prime suspect. Advertisement
The teen was arrested after two women reported hearing him and another person discussing the attack.
Law enforcement officials said they found several knives at the crime scene and are investigating to learn which one the suspect might have used.
“We are all in shock, horror and great sadness in Solingen,” Mayor Tim Kurzbach said in a prepared statement Friday night. “We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have to mourn [the] dead and injured.”
Friday was the first day of the three-day event that celebrates the 650th anniversary of the founding of the city of Solingen in western Germany.
