BERLIN – German police were searching for a man who attacked and injured at least five people in the western city of Bielefeld earlier Sunday.
Police say four victims were seriously injured and were being treated at various hospitals after the suspect attacked a reveler in front of a bar in the city centre with a sharp object and then fled the scene. They said all four seriously injured were men between the ages of 22 and 27 from Bielefeld or nearby towns.
They also said they could not rule out the possibility that more people were injured in the attack.
The German news agency DPA reported that he was a soccer fan from a local team who defended himself against the attackers before he escaped. The city’s Arminiabylefeld soccer club won the match on Saturday and became the third division champion.
Police said the attacker, who identified the attacker as a 35-year-old Syrian living in Germany, was also likely injured in the face.
In a statement Sunday night, police said the suspect left a bag at the crime scene, containing personal documents, and a bottle without a smelly gasoline liquid.
“The background of the crime and the motives of the suspects is currently unknown. According to current status of knowledge, the suspects attacked people indiscriminately,” police said. “Currently, the investigation is being conducted at full speed in all directions.”
Bielefeld police said in a statement that they had found several knives at the scene of the attack and had revitalized a hotline of witnesses asking people to upload videos and photos of the attack. They warned anyone who saw the suspect to call emergency services as the suspect maintains distance and the man could be armed and dangerous.
