A child and adult man were killed and two others wounded in a knife attack in a park in Aschaffenburgin in Bavaria, Germany, on Wednesday morning, according to police and German media reports.
❗ UPDATE ASCHAFFENBURG ❗Der Bereich um den Tatort ist nach wie vor weiträumig abgesperrt. Eine Person befindet sich in Polizeigewahrsam.Es gibt keine Hinweise auf weitere Tatverdächtige. Es besteht keine Gefahr für die Bevölkerung.#AB2201
— Polizei Unterfranken (@PolizeiUFR) January 22, 2025
The 41-year-old man reportedly stepped between the 2-year-old child and the attacker, Welt reported. Neither victim has yet to be named.
The toddler was visiting the park on a nursery trip, according to the Telegraph.
The suspect was detained at the scene in Schoental park, an English-style garden in the Bavarian city, where the attack occurred at around 1045 GMT.
❗ UPDATE ASCHAFFENBURG❗Bei den beiden Verstorbenen handelt es sich um einen 41-jährigen Mann und einen zwei Jahre alten Jungen.Bei dem Festgenommenen handelt es sich um einen 28-jährigen afghanischen Staatsangehörigen.#AB2201
— Polizei Unterfranken (@PolizeiUFR) January 22, 2025
Police arrested two people in connection with the attack but later clarified one is being held as a witness.
Background of the attack
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, though police noted that the suspect attempted to escape through railways - and local rail traffic has been suspended as a consequence.
Police confirmed the suspected attacker is a 28-year-old Afghan national. Der Spiegel named the attacker as Enamullah O. and reported he was claiming asylum in the country.
Investigators reportedly said the suspect had a history of mental health problems.
Police in Germany have been on high alert since the ramming attack on a Christmas market in December.
REUTERS contributed to this report.