A police officer who was seriously injured during a knife attack on the Mannheim Market Square has tragically passed away. The attack occurred during a rally by the Islam-critical movement Pax Europa, where a 25-year-old man attacked several people with a knife, injuring six of them, including a member of Pax Europa’s board, Michael Stürzenberger. The police officer, aged 29, was stabbed multiple times in the head by the attacker and underwent emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma. However, he succumbed to his injuries later in the day. The news of his death sparked mourning among police officers in Mannheim and led to tributes and gestures of solidarity nationwide.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his deep sorrow over the officer’s death, acknowledging his bravery and sacrifice for the safety of others. Finance Minister Christian Lindner echoed these sentiments, stating that the incident angered him and emphasizing the need to fight against Islamist terrorism. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also mourned the officer’s death, recognizing his courage in the face of danger. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour and AfD Party Chair Alice Weidel also expressed their condolences and highlighted the risks that police officers face due to current policies in the country.
The tragic news of the officer’s death deeply affected Baden-Württemberg’s Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann, who extended his condolences to the officer’s family, colleagues, and all police officers in the region. Minister of the Interior Thomas Strobl emphasized that the officer’s sacrifice will always be remembered by the entire police force in Baden-Württemberg. CDU State Chairman Manuel Hagel lamented the loss of the young officer’s life, stressing the gratitude owed to him for his heroism. The German Police Union reacted with sadness and anger towards the brutality and danger that police officers face in their daily duties, calling for more effective measures against violence and extremism.
The motive behind the attack by the 25-year-old suspect Sulaiman A. remains unclear, as authorities continue to investigate. A., who was born in Afghanistan and came to Germany as a teenager in 2014, was not able to be interrogated following the attack as he was also injured and had to be stopped by a police officer using a gunshot. A. is facing charges of attempted murder and was previously not known to the police. He is married, has two children, and resides in Heppenheim, Hesse. The incident has underscored the dangers faced by police officers in the line of duty and the need for greater protection and support for law enforcement. The country mourns the loss of the brave officer who sacrificed his life to protect others.
