Berlin Holocaust Memorial Stabbing: Suspect Caught After Manhunt

Berlin was thrown into a state of heightened security on Friday after a stabbing incident at the Holocaust Memorial, just two days before the country's national elections. The attack has sparked a large-scale manhunt and intensified the already charged political atmosphere surrounding the vote.

A Tourist Stabbed

At approximately 6 p.m. local time, police responded to reports of a stabbing at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. A 30-year-old male Spanish tourist sustained serious but non-threatening stab wounds to his upper body. The weapon used in the attack was described as "something very sharp that could cause severe injuries to your upper body," such as a knife or screwdriver.

The Arrest

Three hours after the incident, officers conducting a search near the crime scene encountered an unidentified man with blood on his hands. He surrendered without making any statements to the authorities. Florian Nath, lead spokesperson for the city's police department, confirmed to NBC News at the scene that the suspect is being treated as the lone individual involved in the attack and that no other suspects are currently being sought.

The Manhunt

The stabbing triggered a widespread manhunt involving 80 to 100 plainclothes and uniformed officers searching through Berlin, a city with a population of nearly 4 million. "Very often, the suspects return to the crime scene, and in this case, it was like that," Nath stated. He added that the suspect was apprehended immediately, and a significant amount of evidence was found in his possession, although he declined to disclose the nature of the evidence. Notably, the suspect was not carrying any identification.

Security Measures and Political Climate

The site of the attack was cordoned off with emergency vehicles, including police vans and a fire engine equipped with a cherry picker illuminating the scene below. Investigators were seen working diligently at the site. The incident occurred amidst a period of heightened security in Germany, which has been affected by a series of high-profile attacks in the lead-up to the elections. This has created a tense atmosphere surrounding the vote, particularly concerning the debate on immigration.

While scholars assert that the overall crime rate in Germany is actually declining, these incidents have deeply shaken the nation during the campaign period. The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has seized upon these attacks to bolster its calls for a mass deportation scheme and stricter border controls. Elon Musk, owner of X and White House advisor, reposted a video of the scene on his platform, echoing the sentiment that "Europe is a totally unsafe place nowadays." He further asserted that "only AfD can save Germany."