KNIFE HORROR
Police officer, 29, dies after being stabbed in head during frenzied knife attack at Mannheim anti-Islam rally
He was placed in an induced coma on Friday before tragically being pronounced dead this evening
A POLICE officer stabbed in Friday's horror attack in Germany has died.
The 29-year-old officer, named locally as Rouven L., was savagely assaulted and stabbed in the head and neck multiple times during the frenzied knife attack at the Mannheim anti-Islam rally.
6
6
6
6
A joint statement from the German police and prosecutors said: "He underwent an emergency operation immediately after the crime and was put into an artificial coma, but succumbed to his serious injuries late in the afternoon on Sunday, June 2.
"We mourn a police officer who gave his life for our safety."
The cop was said to have been stabbed several times in the head and neck in the ordeal.
The hero cop was taken to hospital for emergency surgery immediately after the attack as doctors desperately battled to save his life.
read more in Germany
He was placed in an induced coma on Friday but was pronounced dead on Sunday due to the fatal wounds.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X, saying he was deeply saddened by the officer's tragic death.
He wrote: "His commitment to the safety of us all deserves the highest recognition.
"In these bitter hours, my thoughts are with his family and all those who mourn him."
Most read in The Sun
Several other officers were seen paying tribute to their fallen colleague today by taking off their hats at the site of the heinous attack.
The knifeman, named as 25-year-old Sulaiman Ataee, is thought to still be alive despite footage appearing to show him being shot by cops.
One of his horrified neighbours described Ataee as becoming "radicalised" over the last few months.
They told : "He used to be normal. Recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed.
"He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold. He suddenly became more reserved - and also more aggressive."
HOW THE ATTACK UNFOLDED
At around 11.30am local time on Friday, May 31, a YouTube livestream captured the moment a bearded man launched an attack at a rally in Germany.
Footage shows him brandishing a huge knife before lunging at far-right activist Michael Stürzenberger as they both tumbled to the floor.
The footage appeared to show Stürzenberger being stabbed in the face, neck and chest.
Shocking footage shows blood dripping from a hole in his jeans and dripping near his eyes.
Other men dressed in blue, who appear to have been involved in the rally, attempt to pull the attacker from his victim.
Police swarmed the scene as one of the officers was attacked by the knifeman.
Two cops then aimed their guns at the attacker as he was laid on the ground as shots rang out.
The knifeman rolled onto his back, laid still, and died, reports.
Four other people were wounded during the rampage and no information has been revealed yet on their condition.
Local authorities said yesterday: "All of the injured were subsequently taken to various hospitals, where some of them had to undergo emergency surgery."
German media claim Ataee is a 25-year-old who was born in Afghanistan and now lives in Germany.
German interior minister Nancy Faeser said on Friday afternoon: "The investigation will clarify the background to this crime.
"If the investigation reveals an Islamist motive, then that would be further confirmation of the great danger posed by Islamist acts of violence that we have warned about."
Stefanie Kizina, treasurer of the BPE group, told Bild: "This was not an attack, but an act of terror.
"The attack happened before the event even started, it must have been planned well in advance."
Mannheim Police said after the attack: "According to current information, an attack on several people took place today at around 11:35 a.m. on the market square in Mannheim.
"One person is said to have attacked several people with a knife and injured them. No information can be given yet about the extent and severity of the injuries.
"A firearm was then used against the attacker. The attacker was also injured as a result."
The police added: "Rescue and emergency services as well as the rescue helicopter are in action. There is no danger to the public.
"Rail traffic between the Kurpfalzkreisel and Paradeplatz is closed until further notice."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Minutes after the rampage, forensic investigators, masked special forces, and state criminal police officers arrived on scene.
Pictures show investigators on the scene the day after the attack cleaning up the blood and setting up forensic testing.
6
6
Topics