Late Monday night in Germany [July 18], a 17 year-old Afghan refugee reportedly began a suicide mission of attacking multiple passengers with an axe and knife before being killed by German officials.
The train was carrying a total of 30 passengers, when the teen shouted “Allahu akbar,” meaning God is great, before proceeding with action against them. Officials didn’t draw conclusions on the what the teen’s purpose was, but the Islamic terror group is taking full responsibility for the attack.
Investigators were told by passengers that were near the teen he appeared calm and didn’t show any signs of danger. Investigators searched the teen’s room for any evidence that may be helpful. They’re even looking into a farewell letter written to his father. The hand-painted IS flag stood out the most.
The Islamic terror group has released a video of the teen making threats, one which he carried out on Monday night.
During the event, one passenger pulled the emergency stop cord and that’s when the teen hopped off the train and killed a victim with an axe. The refugee fled the scene before police tracked and chased him down.
Although only five victims were injured in the attack, there are over a dozen being treated for shock. The Mayor of Wuerzburg expressed his thoughts on the situation.
“I’m shocked by this horrible act of violence,” Christian Schuchardt said. He added that his thoughts are with the victims “who have suffered severe injuries on their bodies and souls by this act of craziness.”
The teen lived in a house that was for young refugees in Ochsenfurt, which isn’t too far from Wuerzburg. This was his place of residence up until an estimate two months ago, when he was moved a nearby foster home. Investigators are still working on the case; speaking with the foster parents, friends, and others that know then teen.