German police kill man suspected of attacking passers-by with two knives

Heba Press/. Agencies

German police said Tuesday they were searching for a man suspected of attacking passers-by with two knives in the western town of Mers, days after three people were killed in a stabbing attack in the nearby town of Solingen.

Emergency services were called at around 2:45 p.m. (1245 GMT) on Tuesday to reports that a man “attacked and threatened several passers-by” in the city, according to a statement from Duisburg police.

Police said officers were able to locate a 26-year-old German suspect who “attacked them with two knives.”

The police opened fire on the man, who was injured and later died, while no one else was injured.

The incident comes at a time when Germany is on high alert after three people were killed and eight injured in an attack on Friday at a street party in the town of Solingen, about 45km (28 miles) from Merz.

Following the attack, a 26-year-old Syrian man suspected of having links to ISIS was arrested.

On Monday, while paying tribute to the victims, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to strengthen laws related to gun ownership, “particularly with regard to the use of knives.”