Latest knife attack in Solingen: 15-year-old boy arrested, manhunt for three dead in Germany continues

The police assume that the perpetrator is still at large and that the arrested 15-year-old is not suspected of being behind the attack.

Two witnesses told police that shortly before the stabbing they had overheard a conversation between the 15-year-old and the alleged perpetrator about the crime.

What they had heard only became clear to the witnesses after the attack.

The teenager was arrested in connection with the stabbings, but he is not accused of being the perpetrator – he is only accused of knowing about it.

According to the police, the perpetrator is still on the run.

Police and public prosecutors are involved in counseling relatives, victims and witnesses of last night’s stabbings.

They say this is incredibly important work to help people traumatized by the attack.

As part of a special unit, specially trained police teams deliver messages to the relatives of the deceased.

The police were questioned about the indications emerging in Germany of a second arrest by the Düsseldorf police.

They declined to comment on the claim, saying they had no information about a second arrest.

The police chief said officers do not believe more than one person was involved in the attack. They were looking for evidence linking the 15-year-old inmate to the stabbings.

He appealed to the public not to share information on social media and not to speculate about the potential attacker while the investigation is ongoing.

Four people are fighting for their lives after yesterday's knife attacks, police said.

Two other people were injured, one suffered only minor injuries.

According to police, the knife attacker was specifically aiming at people's necks.

German police have found several knives they believe may have been used in the attack, but it is unclear whether any of them were used.

They do not yet know whether they have the weapon of attack.

Police confirmed that a terrorist motive behind last night's knife attack could not be ruled out.

They continue to examine all avenues of investigation.

The police are currently in talks with the public prosecutor's office, but said that the case would be referred to the federal prosecutor's office if a terrorist motive was established.

For “tactical” reasons, they cannot provide further details about the investigation, but confirmed that no charges have been brought against the arrested 15-year-old.

According to police, the person arrested in connection with the knife attack is a 15-year-old.

Police Chief Thorsten Fleiß, who was on duty at the time of the attack last night, also confirmed that the victims were a 67-year-old man, a 57-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman.

Although the police assume that there is only one perpetrator, they are pursuing several lines of investigation.

The German police have begun their press conference.

Stay tuned to this page for the latest information on the arrest and the ongoing manhunt.

Where did the attack take place?

The tragedy occurred at a festival in Solingen's central square, the Fronhof, where thousands had gathered for a celebration.

The festival of diversity, celebrating the city's 650th anniversary, began on Friday and is scheduled to last until Sunday. Live music, cabaret and acrobatics will be offered on several stages in the central streets.

Solingen has about 160,000 inhabitants and is located near the major cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf.

“We are deeply shocked by the brutal attack on the city festival in Solingen,” said Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in a statement on Saturday.

“Our security authorities are doing everything they can to catch the perpetrator and clarify the background to the attack.”

Authorities have cancelled the rest of the event over the weekend.