A manhunt is still underway in Bielefeld, Germany, after a 35-year-old Syrian asylum seeker allegedly stabbed several young people in a brutal knife attack outside a popular student bar early on Sunday morning.
Five people were injured, with two initially reported to be in critical condition, though police confirmed on Monday that all victims are now out of danger.
The attack took place around 4:20 a.m. outside the Cutie bar in central Bielefeld, where a group of young people had gathered to celebrate Arminia Bielefeld’s promotion to the 2. Bundesliga — German football’s second division.
The suspect, identified by authorities as Mahmoud M., a Syrian national residing in a municipal asylum center in Harsewinkel, is said to have approached the group before suddenly stabbing multiple people indiscriminately.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as victims, aged between 23 and 27, collapsed bleeding on the street. Emergency services arrived quickly and transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
The attacker fled the scene but is believed to have dropped a backpack containing additional weapons and a PET bottle filled with a gasoline-smelling liquid, which investigators say points to a broader attack plan. The backpack also contained a residence permit identifying Mahmoud M., who arrived in Germany in 2023 and has temporary asylum status.
According to information reported by NIUS, the weapon used may have been a “Stockvine” — a knife concealed within what appears to be a walking stick. Police have not officially confirmed this detail, but did not deny it when asked. “We are working at full speed on the case, putting all the puzzle pieces together,” said a police spokeswoman. “Unfortunately, the perpetrator is still on the run.”
On Sunday, a Special Operations Command unit raided Mahmoud Mhemed’s apartment at the municipal accommodation in Harsewinkel. According to BILD, neighbors had reported seeing the man there earlier in the day, but by the time officers arrived, he had already fled.
BREAKING NIUS: Das ist Mahmoud Mhemed aus Syrien, der Messer-Terrorist von Bielefeld. Mitten in der Nacht hat er versucht, fünf Menschen abzuschlachten, die arglos in einer Bar feierten. Es sind viel zu viele zu uns gekommen, die uns hassen. https://t.co/O9f1rEiPau pic.twitter.com/oiSdciny4H
— Julian Reichelt (@jreichelt) May 18, 2025
Police have issued a public warning describing the suspect as approximately 1.65 to 1.70 meters tall with a “southern appearance.” He was last seen wearing black trousers, a white T-shirt, a dark North Face jacket, and a baseball cap. Authorities stressed that he may still be armed and dangerous and urged anyone who sees him not to approach but to immediately call emergency services.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. “The background to the crime and a motive of the suspect are currently unknown,” said police spokeswoman Katja Küster. “According to current knowledge, the suspect attacked people indiscriminately. It is currently being investigated at full speed in all directions.”
Police confirmed on Monday that they have received tips about the suspect’s whereabouts but have not yet apprehended him.
“The failure of migration policy in North Rhine-Westphalia, governed by the CDU, is once again evident, as Merz refuses to deport Syrian citizens whose reason for fleeing no longer applies,” remarked Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel on X.
The attack occurred on the same day as several other offenses involving migrants across Germany.
In Germany on Sunday…
A Kosovar national was arrested for a knife attack in Halle, injuring at least three people, including a 12-year-old girl.
Reports suggest he had taken issue with how loudly a group of children were playing outside his apartment bloc.
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) May 18, 2025
On Sunday evening, a Kosovar national was arrested after three people were injured during a knife attack in a residential area of Halle.
One adult victim suffered serious injuries, while another and a 12-year-old girl were also hurt in the attack. All three victims were taken to the hospital.
The attack occurred shortly before 6:30 p.m. near an apartment building on An der Magistrale in the Halle-Neustadt district. A police spokesman confirmed that a dispute had taken place before the stabbing, reportedly concerning the volume of children playing outside the building.
“Syrian stabs five people in Bielefeld, Kosovar stabs three people in Halle, including a 12-year-old child. In Reinbek, an Afghan man attacks a child. There is a shooting going on in Berlin right now. A day that will go down in German history as Colorful Sunday,” remarked Julian Reichelt, former editor-in-chief of BILD, on X.
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