Knife attack at school in Gosen-Neu Zittau: pupil and educator killed
An 18-year-old pupil and a 30-year-old educator were killed with a knife at the Docemus school in Gosen-Neu Zittau. A 19-year-old German man was arrested.
Fatal knife attack on school campus near Berlin
Two people were killed at the Docemus school in Gosen-Neu Zittau (Oder-Spree district) on Thursday. According to Tagesschau, citing rbb, the victims were an 18-year-old pupil and a 30-year-old educator. Both died from their injuries at the scene despite immediate medical attention.
The first emergency calls came in around 13:45 according to police. A 19-year-old German man was arrested shortly afterwards. Police spokesman Roland Kamenz confirmed the arrest to rbb on Thursday afternoon. Evidence collection continued into the night.
Not a shooting spree — investigators assume crime of passion
"Based on current findings, investigators are not treating this as a shooting spree but as a crime of passion," the police said in a statement. Further details about the suspect and the exact circumstances were not initially released. Witnesses can submit information about the incident through a tip portal. Emergency care workers and trauma counsellors were also planned to be on the school grounds on Friday.
Shock among pupils, teachers and relatives
Trauma counsellors assisted pupils, teachers and relatives in the afternoon, many of whom remained in the gymnasium until late afternoon before being collected by their parents. In the evening, around 100 children and adults gathered at a memorial site on the campus with flowers and candles. People wept loudly, cuddly toys were laid down, and people embraced each other.
Political reactions from Brandenburg
Brandenburg's parliamentary president Ulrike Liedtke described the act as a "cowardly femicide that has no place in our society". The term femicide refers to the killing of women because of their gender — the most common form is killing by (ex-)partners.
Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) stated: "In a terrible attack, two people have lost their lives. This act shakes our entire state. My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the relatives of the victims, their families and friends during these difficult hours."
Interior Minister Jan Redmann (CDU) also expressed his deep concern: "This violent crime does not leave anyone unaffected." He thanked police and rescue services for their rapid response.
The Brandenburg education ministry announced that on Friday, school councillors and an emergency team with school psychologists would be on campus. The Brandenburg state parents' council called for a review of security measures at schools: "Parents must be able to send their children to school in the morning without fear and without a guilty conscience."
School campus on the outskirts of Gosen-Neu Zittau
The incident occurred on the grounds of a privately run school campus surrounded by forest and lakes. The campus houses a gymnasium, secondary school and technical secondary school under one roof. The public school "An der Spree" is also located on the grounds. Whether the school would remain closed on Friday was, according to police, a decision for the school management. A village festival scheduled for the following week was cancelled by the municipality.
Source: Tagesschau