German police search for a man who attacked and injured at least 5
people outside a bar
[May 19, 2025]
BERLIN (AP) — German police were searching for a man who attacked
and injured at least five people in the western city of Bielefeld early
Sunday.
Police said four of the victims suffered serious injuries and were being
treated in different hospitals after the suspect attacked revelers in
front of a bar in the city center with a sharp object and then fled the
scene. They said the four severely injured were all men aged between 22
and 27 from Bielefeld or nearby towns. |
Police and forensic investigators are on the scene following an attack
in the western city of Bielefeld, Germany, Sunday May 18, 2025.
(Christian M'ller/dpa via AP) |
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They also said they could not rule out the possibility that more
people were injured in the attack.
German news agency dpa reported that the revelers were soccer
fans from a local team who defended themselves against the
attacker before he fled. The city's Arminia Bielefeld soccer
club won its match on Saturday, and with it became 3rd division
champions.
According to police, the attacker — who they only identified as
a 35-year-old Syrian living in Germany — was probably also
injured in the face.
In a statement Sunday night, police said the suspect left a bag
at the crime scene containing personal documents and a bottle
with an unknown liquid smelling of petrol.
“The background to the crime and the suspect’s motive are
currently unknown. According to the current state of knowledge,
the suspect attacked people indiscriminately,” police said.
“Investigations are currently being carried out at full speed in
all directions.”
Bielefeld police said in a statement that they found several
knives at the scene of the attack and that they have activated a
witness hotline asking people to upload videos and photos of the
attack. They warned anyone who sees the suspect to keep a
distance and call emergency services as the man may be armed and
dangerous.
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