At least five people, including a 9-year-old child, were killed in a vehicle-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany on Friday. Four adults also perished in the attack, according to police. At least 200 more people were injured, with 41 in serious condition and their lives considered to be in danger, according to Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt Reiner Haseloff and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The Magdeburg Christmas market has been closed for the remainder of the season.
A 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor, who has lived in Germany since 2006, was arrested. He was driving a rental car and apprehended within three minutes of the initial emergency call at 7:02 p.m. local time. Police believe he acted alone, entering the market through an area designated for emergency vehicles. He will face charges of five counts of murder and grievous bodily harm.
While the motive remains unclear, prosecutors suggest it may be linked to the suspect’s dissatisfaction with the treatment of refugees from Saudi Arabia in Germany. Further investigation is needed to confirm this. The suspect has undergone physical and psychological exams, but the results are pending.
A memorial service was held at Magdeburg Cathedral on Saturday, attended by the mayor, Chancellor Scholz, and first responders. Elsewhere in the city, a smaller anti-immigrant protest took place.
U.S. law enforcement sources have classified the attack as a terrorist incident. The State Department expressed condolences and offered assistance to Germany. Chancellor Scholz also offered his condolences and thanked rescue workers.
The incident echoes a similar attack at a Berlin Christmas market in 2016. This has prompted concerns about similar vehicle-ramming attacks, particularly during the holiday season, leading to increased security measures in locations like New York City’s Times Square. The NYPD is deploying additional resources to protect holiday markets and events.