No Signs of Psychosis After Stabbing Attack in Würzburg - Two Violent Attacks on Jehovah's Witnesses Leave Germany on Edge
Two separate attacks on Jehovah's Witnesses have shocked Germany in recent days. In Würzburg, a knife-wielding man injured three people at a religious stand before bystanders restrained him. The incident follows a deadly shooting at a Hamburg congregation in 2023, where seven people were killed before the attacker took his own life.
Investigators are now examining whether the latest assault was deliberately aimed at the religious group.
The Würzburg attack unfolded at the city's main train station, a location known for high crime rates. Three men working at a Jehovah's Witnesses stand were targeted with a knife, though none suffered stab or slash wounds. Bystanders, including an off-duty police officer, quickly overpowered the suspect and held him until authorities arrived.
The 24-year-old suspect, an Afghan national, has lived in Germany since 2023 under a temporary suspension of deportation. He has no prior criminal record but is currently under investigation for property damage. Despite questioning, he has refused to speak to police, leaving the motive unclear. Tests confirmed he was not under the influence of drugs or experiencing psychosis at the time.
This incident comes just over a year after a mass shooting in Hamburg. In March 2023, a man opened fire during a Jehovah's Witnesses meeting, killing seven before turning the gun on himself. Authorities classified that case as attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. With around 222,000 members in Germany, the religious group has faced two violent incidents in quick succession.
Würzburg's train station has been under permanent video surveillance since 2021 due to its reputation as a crime hotspot. Police are reviewing footage to determine whether the attack was specifically targeted at Jehovah's Witnesses or a random act of violence.
The suspect remains in custody as investigators work to establish a motive. The three victims in Würzburg received treatment for minor injuries, while the wider community awaits answers. Authorities have not yet confirmed any link between the two attacks on Jehovah's Witnesses.
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