Authorities have apprehended a suspect following a stabbing incident at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial on Friday evening, local time. The attack resulted in serious injuries to one individual.
The police have not yet released information regarding a motive, nor have they established any link between the stabbing and either the Holocaust memorial, officially named the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, or the nearby U.S. Embassy.
The stabbing occurred two days before Germany’s holiday on Sunday.
The Associated Press reported that the victim has been identified as a 30-year-old Spanish tourist, and that their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
“Our officers have apprehended a suspect near the location where the crime occurred,” Berlin police stated on X. “The investigation is ongoing.”
Police spokesman Florian Nath stated during a press conference that the attack took place at approximately 6 p.m., adding that it was “probably with a knife. Maybe with something else.”
The suspect was taken into custody approximately three hours later after being spotted in the vicinity of the memorial.
“He had blood on his hands, which raised suspicion,” Nath explained.
In a subsequent update posted on X, police indicated that a wider area surrounding the crime scene was being searched “for evidence by additional emergency personnel, police dogs, and a police helicopter.”
Benjamin Weinthal, Reuters and