German investigators reported on Tuesday that the suspect in a car-ramming incident in Leipzig, which resulted in two fatalities, does not appear to have been driven by political or religious motives. However, they confirmed that he had recently undergone psychiatric treatment.
Incident Overview
The 33-year-old German national was arrested on Monday afternoon after allegedly driving his car several hundred meters through a busy shopping district in Leipzig. The attack killed a 63-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man, both German citizens. Six others sustained injuries, two of which are serious.
Investigation Details
The suspect is being investigated on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Authorities believe the rampage was deliberate, but the motive remains unclear. In a joint statement, police and prosecutors stated that there is currently no evidence of a political or religious motive. They noted that the suspect had come to their attention earlier this year due to threats and "defamatory offenses."
On April 17, police were dispatched following a phone call from the suspect, after which he was voluntarily admitted to a specialist psychiatric hospital for his "psychological condition." He remained there until the previous Wednesday. The statement also confirmed that he had no prior criminal convictions and no other pending legal cases.
Medical Background
The social affairs ministry of Saxony state reported that during his treatment, the man posed no danger to himself or others, and there was no medical justification to prevent his discharge, according to German news agency dpa.
Investigators continue to probe the suspect's background and the events leading up to the attack.
