German police officer dies after knife attack on Mannheimer Platz, which was broadcast on livestream

A German police officer was killed in a knife attack in the city of Mannheim that left five other people injured, officials said on Sunday.

The 29-year-old officer suffered multiple stab wounds to the head and neck in the attack on Friday, which took place in the central square of the southwestern German city and was streamed live on YouTube.

He underwent emergency surgery, officials said, and was placed in an induced coma, but died on Sunday.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he was “deeply saddened” and that “the officer’s commitment to the safety of all of us deserves the highest recognition.”

Two dozen of the officer’s colleagues paid their last respects by removing their hats at a gathering at the scene of the attack on Sunday.

The suspect, a 25-year-old Afghan migrant, was shot and injured by another officer.

The suspect was still in hospital on Sunday and a judge ordered his detention on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police and prosecutors did not give a motive for the attack and said the suspect was not in a condition to be questioned.

The horror took place during an event organized by the anti-Islam political group Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa (BPE).

The group describes itself as an organization that educates people about the dangers posed by the “increasing spread and influence of political Islam.”

Among the injured was 59-year-old Michael Sturzenberger, an activist who is one of the group’s leading figures and has spoken at its events.

The other victims were four men aged 25, 36, 42 and 54. The 54-year-old initially suffered life-threatening injuries, but was later declared to be out of danger.

Mannheim is located on the Rhine, about 80 kilometers south of Frankfurt.