Chaos erupted at a political rally in Germany’s Mannheim on Friday when a man went on a stabbing spree, injuring at least two people, including a police officer.
German police said they shot and wounded a man armed with a knife who attacked a right-wing demonstration in the southwestern city of Mannheim.
Social media footage showed a bearded man attacking people in the city’s central Marktplatz square with a knife. One person appears to be stabbed in the leg and a policeman who tries to intervene appears to be cut in the neck. Another policeman then shoots the attacker.
The stabbing during the rally, which was live-streamed on YouTube, occurred during a demonstration organised by the Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa (BPE), known for its stance against Europe’s ‘Islamisation,’ according to British newspaper Metro.
Anti-Islamist campaigner Michael Stuerzenberger, who was scheduled to speak at the rally, was identified as one of the victims. UK media reports said that his condition remains uncertain. The graphic video footage, spreading on the internet, showed the knife-wielding attacker going after everyone indiscriminately.
Despite attempts to restrain him, the attacker continued his assault, even targeting a police officer who was aiding a victim on the ground. Ignoring police orders, the attacker was shot dead by law enforcement from a short distance. “A firearm was used against the attacker,” Mannheim police said in a statement.
A rescue helicopter was in attendance and trams in the area had been suspended. No information was available on the identity or motives of the attacker and police said they could not yet give details about any injuries among the demonstrators in the square. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the rampage and the identities of the victims have not been disclosed.