The killer who stormed an anti-Islam rally on Friday is a father of two and was “radicalized” last year, shocked neighbors say.
A 29-year-old police officer was murdered during the frenzied knife attack in Mannheim, Germany, with five other people injured as the investigation continues into the attacker’s motive.
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The stabber, identified as 25-year-old Sulaiman Ataee, is believed to still be alive, although footage appears to show him being shot by police in the ensuing melee.
But shocking revelations from those who lived in the same building as Ataee revealed they felt he had been “radicalised” in recent months.
One man said: “He used to be normal. Recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed.
“He was helpful before, but suddenly he became cold. Suddenly he became more reserved – and also more aggressive.”
It turned out that Ataee immigrated to Germany from Afghanistan in 2014, when he was just 15 years old.
Recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed. He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold
Neighbor
The bearded brute lives with his German wife and two children – a three-year-old and an almost one-year-old baby.
The family of four has lived in an apartment in Heppenheim for three years.
Their home is just a 25-minute drive from where the horrific stabbing took place.
Another nervous neighbor told Bild: “He was discreet, we greeted each other normally.
“But recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed. He was helpful before, but he suddenly became cold.
“He suddenly became more reserved – and also more aggressive.”
I just feel sorry for his wife and children. They have to suffer now because of what that man did
neighbor
People you spoke to Online Mail said the family often kept to themselves.
They were rarely seen talking to other people in the residential block and were seen as completely discreet.
A woman who lives on the same floor as Ataee and her family said: “I feel sorry for his wife and children. They have to suffer now because of what that man did.”
During the heinous attack, a heroic police officer was stabbed multiple times in the head and neck, and his death was announced on Sunday.
After being taken to hospital for emergency surgery immediately following the attack, the officer fell into a coma before passing away.
A joint statement from German police and prosecutors said: “He underwent an emergency operation immediately after the crime and was placed in an artificial coma, but succumbed to his serious injuries in the late afternoon of Sunday 2 June.
“We mourn a police officer who gave his life for our safety.”
HOW THE ATTACK DEVELOPED
At around 11:30 am local time on Friday, May 31, a YouTube live stream captured the moment a bearded man launched an attack on a rally in Germany.
Footage shows him brandishing a huge knife before attacking far-right activist Michael Stürzenberger as they both fell to the ground.
The footage appeared to show Stürzenberger being stabbed in the face, neck and chest.
Shocking footage shows blood oozing from a hole in his jeans and dripping near his eyes.
Other men dressed in blue, who appear to have been involved in the demonstration, try to move the attacker away from the victim.
The police invaded the place when one of the officers was attacked with a knife.
Two police officers then pointed their guns at the attacker as he was laid on the ground as shots rang out.
The knifeman rolled onto his back, remained motionless and died. Photograph reports.
Four other people were injured during the riot and no information has yet been revealed about their condition.
Local authorities said yesterday: “All the injured were subsequently taken to various hospitals, where some of them had to undergo emergency surgery.”
German media say Ataee is a 25-year-old man who was born in Afghanistan and now lives in Germany.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Friday afternoon: “The investigation will clarify the background to this crime.
“If the investigation reveals an Islamic motive, then that would be further confirmation of the great danger posed by the Islamic acts of violence we warn about.”
Stefanie Kizina, treasurer of the BPE group, told Bild: “This was not an attack, but an act of terror.
“The attack happened before the event even started, it must have been planned well in advance.”
Mannheim Police said after the attack: “According to current information, an attack on several people took place today at around 11:35 am on the market square in Mannheim.
“It is said that a person attacked several people with a knife and injured them. No information can yet be given about the extent and severity of the injuries.
“A firearm was then used against the attacker. The attacker was also injured.”
Police added: “Rescue and emergency services as well as the rescue helicopter are in action. There is no danger to the public.
“Rail traffic between Kurpfalzkreisel and Paradeplatz is closed until further notice.”
Minutes after the riot, forensic investigators, masked special forces and state criminal police arrived on the scene.
The images show investigators at the scene the day after the attack, cleaning up the blood and carrying out forensic tests.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
