Ansbach (dpa / lby) – Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) recognized the courageous intervention of a passer-by after the knife attack in Ansbach. “I am particularly impressed by the 20-year-old man who selflessly rushed to help the 17-year-old who was initially attacked,” Herrmann told the “Bild” newspaper.
A 30-year-old man attacked the 17-year-old with two butcher knives and then attacked police officers who killed him with three shots from their service weapons. There was uncertainty on Friday about the motive of the Afghan, who came to Germany as an asylum seeker but was rejected and only had a toleration status that was valid for one week.
The knife attacker could be stopped after a few minutes thanks to the quick intervention of the police, Herrmann told the newspaper. “Here, too, it has paid off that we have invested heavily in an increased police presence in recent years.”
The 20-year-old may have saved the youth’s life. At this point, the 17-year-old was just about able to fend off the massive knife attacks in fear of death, said Herrmann. “It takes a good deal of courage to put a knife-armed man to flight when you’re putting your life in danger and getting injured. I hope they can both recover from their injuries and traumatic experiences as soon as possible.”
According to investigators, both men were able to leave the hospital after brief treatment.
