Yesterday, we reported on the stabbing of two schoolgirls at the Evangelical School in Berlin by a man identified only as Berhan S. Today's edition of Tagesspiegel has more information on Berhan S. The below article is translated by Fousesquawk.
He was already known for domestic violence What is known about the knife attacker in Neukoelln
After the attack on two girls in Neukoelln, the alleged perpetrator is in a psychiatric hospital. He was already on file with the police and justice system.
By Julius Geller Alexander Froelich
Today (May 4, 2023) 18:24
He came with a kitchen knife, two schoolgirls are in the hospital, since Wednesday afternoon, (and) everything has changed in Neukoelln. The sheer horror for children and parents. Berhan S., "simply walked into this schoolyard," says a spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor Officer, a chance act, a "chance encounter".
About 3 pm, the 38-year-old attacked two girls, 7 and 8 years of age, on the playground of the school. He stabbed the younger schoolgirl several times, (and) she was seriously injured. He also injured the 8-year-old with the knife, stabbing her in the throat, (and) she is still in a life-threatening condition as of Thursday, though not acute. The doctors have been able to stabilize her.
Judge issues placement order
The alleged attacker in Neukoelln has been provisionally placed in a hospital. An investigating judge issued the placement order, the Public Prosecutor's Office reported Thursday afternoon.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, 38-year-old Berhan S. is accused of two counts of attempted murder. As the police reported, S. confessed to the act. He was arrested Wednesday at the scene of the crime.
How could this happen? How safe are children in the schools? The case raises a number of questions; parents are unsettled. Berhan S. submitted to arrest by police who were alerted near the scene of the crime without resistance. He confessed to the attack, but the exact motive puzzles the investigators. There are indications, however, of mental illness as a result of drug use.
Berhan S. appears several times in Justice and police files. There is bodily injury, insults, threats, fraud, drug crimes, theft, and property damage. There is nothing to give reason to believe that S. would commit such an act as happened Wednesday. When he surrendered, he gave the police officers the impression that "he was beside himself".
Caption: The alleged attacker, Berhan S. was already known to police.
According to the authorities, Berhan S. is a German citizen and was born in Berlin, a few hundred meters away from the school, with a reported address in a homeless shelter. Neighbors reported a police operation. In police records, it is also noted that Berhan S. was also considered suicidal. At least, there was a (police response) because S. wanted to take his own life.
S. was of record in 2009 due to massive domestic violence. He reportedly beat and injured his companion repeatedly. The Prosecutor's Office confirmed on Thursday it is the same person. At that time, the investigations into the beater came to nothing; the police could not prove the acts, the woman withdrew the (complaints), and made contradictory statements.
S. "and his strictly religious family" reportedly threatened the woman, reported her mother at the time to Tagespiegel. Up to now, 11 reports have been made to the police, for threats, several coercions, bodily injuries, and insults.
In Neukoelln, the school is now trying to deal with the terrible event. About 30 children reportedly observed the act in the playground, among them, the sister of one of the girls. Pupils, as well as teachers and educators, are being supported by psychologists for talks and spiritual care, reported the school foundation of the State Evangelical Church, as sponsor of the school. The offer is also directed at the parents, said a spokeswoman. A devotional for the school community is reportedly in the planning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fousesquawk comment: It may be too soon to jump to conclusions here, but I am wondering why this man chose a Christian school for his attack. This is an ongoing problem in Europe, especially in Germany and France, where churches, religious statues, and schools are being attacked by folks who object to the Christian faith-not to mention Jews. Yet, the authorities and the media are loathe to fully identify who the perpetrators are and what their motivations were. We are facing a somewhat similar issue in Nashville in regard to the attack on a Christian school by a transgender, whose manifesto the police refuse to release to the public. Thus, we are left in the dark as to possible threats we may be facing, and we are left to make our own assumptions.
No comments:
Post a Comment