German authorities say suspect arrested in deadly Solingen knife rampage

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- German authorities said Saturday a male suspect has been arrested in connection with a deadly stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, during a "Festival of Diversity."

The interior minister of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia confirmed in a televised interview police have a man in custody whom they are confident is the perpetrator of Friday's knife attack.

Evidence has been found linking the suspect to the attack, Herbert Reul told German public broadcaster ARD , adding authorities have a high degree of certainty they have the right person.

The newsmagazine Der Spiegel reported the suspect is a 26-year-old Syrian man who turned himself in shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, more than 24 hours after the attack. The publication cited police sources claiming the man sought and was granted asylum in Germany in 2022, but has no prior indications of extremism.

German law enforcement officers spent the day on an intense manhunt for a lone male suspect in the stabbing attack done during the festival in Solingen.

Earlier in the day, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a Telegram post, but did not provide proof of its claim. It said the attack was done in retaliation by a "soldier of the Islamic State" for the deaths of "Muslims in Palestine and everywhere."

The suspect killed three and wounded eight others, five of whom have serious injuries, police from nearby Dusseldorf told media .

The dead are two men, ages 56 and 67, and a 56-year-old woman.

The deadly knife attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. local time.

Police arrested a 15-year-old boy but said he is not the prime suspect. The teen was arrested after two women reported hearing him and another person discussing the attack.

Law enforcement officials said they found several knives at the crime scene and are investigating to learn which one the suspect might have used.

"We are all in shock, horror and great sadness in Solingen," Mayor Tim Kurzbach said in a prepared statement Friday night. "We all wanted to celebrate our city's anniversary together and now we have to mourn [the] dead and injured."

Friday was the first day of the three-day event that celebrates the 650th anniversary of the founding of the city of Solingen in western Germany.