A knife-wielding man stabbed six people, including a police officer, in the western German city of Mannheim on Friday before being shot dead by police. The police officer who was stabbed is currently in serious condition, according to the Karlsruhe prosecutor's office.
Another victim was Michael Stutsenberg, a political activist known for his anti-Islamist views. On Friday morning, Stutsenberg was at the market square with members of a small right-wing group, the civic movement Pax Europa, to campaign for next month's EU elections.
Four other members of the group were also injured, according to a police statement.
Police have not yet identified the attacker or released any information about what led to the stabbing.
“If the investigation reveals Islamist motives, then this would once again confirm the great danger posed by Islamist violence, about which we have warned,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement.
The officer was stabbed multiple times in the back of the head as he tried to stop the attack, police said. Another officer fired his weapon to subdue the attacker, authorities said. All of the victims were taken to local hospitals, where several had to undergo emergency surgery. As of Friday evening, two of the victims had been released from the hospital, police said.
Mr Stitzenberg is well known to authorities including Bavaria's domestic intelligence agency for his anti-Islamist views.
Germany has An increase in attacks on politicians and campaign staff has been noted In recent months.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on social media after the attack: “Violence is unacceptable in our democracy. The perpetrators must be severely punished.”
