The authorities do not distinguish a political or religious motive behind Alexander S.’s act, who led his car earlier today to a crowd in the center of Mannheim, causing the deaths of two people and the injury to ten others – including one child.

The perpetrator, a 40-year-old man from Ludwihsfen, Rhine-Palatinatou, who, according to Der Spiegel magazine, suffers from mental illness, is severely injured, as he was arrested in the mouth with a pistol.

According to Baden’s Interior Minister Thomas Strombl, the perpetrator had not previously been concerned with the authorities either in an infringement or with possible interconnections with terrorist or extremism circles, although 2018 was investigated by the authorities with the suspicion of “symbols”. His motive remains unclear, however, and all the possibilities are considered, but it is not considered that the act is linked to the events for the carnival. “The motivation should be sought more in the perpetrator’s personality,” Mr Strombl said. However, the neighboring city of Bad Durkhaim canceled its planned carnival events tomorrow, “in solidarity with the residents of Mannheim”.

His heartfelt condolences to relatives of the victims were expressed by the Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the leader of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Friedrich Mertz. “It’s terrible what they need to go through. I wish the injured rapid recovery, “Mr Steinmeier wrote in a post on the” X “platform and thanked the police and emergency services. In a similar style, Mr Mertz said his thinking was in the victims and their families. “The incident – as well as the scary acts of the past months – are a strong reminder to us. We need to do everything we can to prevent such actions. Germany must become a safe country again, “he said.

A video released online by the incident show dozens of terrified citizens running panic-stricken on the streets, while others are leaving the buildings.

🚨 terror in mannheim? Driver PLOWS Into Crowd –investigation Underway

A car rammed into a large group of pedestrians in mannheim, Germany, in what authorities are treating as a potential terror attack.

🔎 Details Still Emerging, But This Comes Care Than A Year After An… pic.twitter.com/5e7mfyzbjy

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