Knifeman who killed police officer & injured five at anti-Islam rally is dad-of-two who ‘radicalised’ over the last year
A KNIFEMAN who rampaged through an anti-Islam rally on Friday is a dad-of-two who became "radicalised"; in the last year, shocked neighbours claim.
A 29-year-old police officer died following the frenzied knife attack in Mannheim, Germany, which left five others injured.
Police are still investigating the motive of the attacker.
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 in the following melee.
Neighbours who live in the same building as Ataee have revealed they felt he had been "radicalised" over the last few months.
One man told the : "He used to be normal. Recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed.
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"He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold. He suddenly became more reserved - and also more aggressive."
Ataee was found to have immigrated to Germany from Afghanistan in 2014 when he was just 15 years old.
Recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed. He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold
Neighbour
The bearded brute lives with his German wife and two children - a three-year-old and a baby who is almost one.
The family-of-four have lived in a flat in Heppenheim for three years.
Their home is only a 25-minute drive from where the horror stabbing took place.
Another unnerved neighbour told Bild: "He was inconspicuous, we greeted each other usually.
"But 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.";
I just feel sorry for his wife and kids. They have to suffer now because of what that man did
neighbour
Neighbours in the area said the family often kept themselves private.
They said they were rarely seen speaking to others in the residential block and were largely seen as completely inconspicuous.
A woman who lives on the same floor as Ataee and his family said: "I just feel sorry for his wife and kids. They have to suffer now because of what that man did."
During the heinous assault, a heroic police officer was stabbed several times in the head and neck with his death being announced on Sunday.
After being taken to hospital for emergency surgery immediately after the attack the cop was put into a coma before passing away.
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."
HOW THE ATTACK UNFOLDED
At around 11.30am local time on Friday, May 31, a YouTube live stream captured the moment a bearded man launched an attack at a rally in Germany.
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."
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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.