BERLIN, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A knife attack in the Bavarian city of Aschaffenburg on Wednesday claimed the lives of two individuals, including a two-year-old child and a man, while leaving two others severely injured.
The attack took place at around 11:45 a.m. local time in a downtown park. German police said in a statement that they had arrested a 28-year-old suspect, and confiscated a knife which was believed to have been used in the attack.
According to reports, the suspect had followed a group of kindergarten children in the park before launching the attack as they were preparing to leave. A 41-year-old passerby lost his life while attempting to protect the children.
The German Press Agency reported that the suspect was known to have a history of psychological issues.
Authorities noted that the park had previously been designated as a "dangerous area" due to recurring incidents of drug-related robberies and violence. Regular police patrols in the park enabled a rapid response, leading to the suspect's immediate arrest nearby.
Police have launched an investigation into the motive behind the attack and urged the public to refrain from speculation until further details are released. They also appeal for witnesses to come forward with any relevant details.
