Berlin police detained a man on Tuesday after he allegedly attacked and injured two people in the Charlottenburg neighborhood, using a knife stolen from a supermarket. The incident unfolded near a hotel just before noon, shaking the normally tranquil district of the German capital.
According to a police statement, the attack is being investigated as “attempted murder.” The suspect, identified as a Syrian citizen residing in Sweden, reportedly exhibited signs of mental illness. Police spokeswoman Jane Berndt stated, “Initial findings indicate no evidence of a terrorist motivation,” while emphasizing that the investigation remains ongoing.
The man allegedly stole a knife from the supermarket before attacking two men — one inside the store and the other on a sidewalk near a hotel. Both victims were taken to the hospital; one was later discharged after outpatient treatment.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with the attacker appearing to act randomly. Local media reported that several bystanders intervened, overpowering the man until police arrived to detain him.
This incident comes as Germany continues to recover from a tragic Christmas market attack in Magdeburg earlier this month, where a Saudi doctor was arrested after a rampage that killed five people and injured over 200.
In a separate event on the same day, a 38-year-old German man was shot and killed by police in Grünsfeld, southwestern Germany. The man had stolen an excavator, driven it into a hardware store, and injured three officers during a chase.
Both incidents highlight growing concerns over public safety, as authorities work to address isolated violent acts across the country.