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Tag: suspect

  • Munich car attack suspect appears to have had ‘Islamist motivation’: prosecutor

    Munich car attack suspect appears to have had ‘Islamist motivation’: prosecutor

    The suspect accused of injuring more than 30 people in a car ramming attack in Munich, Germany, appears to have been motivated by Islamic extremism, prosecutors revealed Friday. 

    The 24-year-old Afghan, a self-described bodybuilder and fitness model, was arrested Thursday after he drove his Mini Cooper into the back of a labor union demonstration. The incident unfolded near where world leaders — including Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — were expected to gather for the Munich Security Conference. 

    Prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann said that the suspect said “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is great,” to police and then prayed after his arrest — which prompted a department that investigates extremism and terror to take on the case immediately. 

    In questioning, he admitted deliberately driving into the demonstration and “gave an explanation that I would summarize as religious motivation,” Tilmann said, according to the Associated Press. “According to all we know at the moment, I would venture to speak of an Islamist motivation.” 

    CAR DRIVER IN MUNICH PLOWS INTO CROWD 

    A car is lifted onto a tow truck at the scene where a driver drove into a labor union demonstration in Munich, Germany, on Thursday Feb. 13. (Matthias Balk/dpa via AP)

    However, there were no indications the suspect was in any Islamic extremist organization, she reportedly added. 

    Tilmann also announced Friday that the suspect, who arrived in Germany as an asylum-seeker in 2016 and lived in Munich, posted content with religious references — such as “Allah, protect us always” — on social media. 

    The attack left 36 people injured, and the suspect is now facing 36 counts of attempted murder as well as bodily harm and dangerous interference with road traffic. 

    PLANE CARRYING SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO RESUMES FLIGHT TO MUNICH AFTER MECHANICAL ISSUE 

    Police investigate Munich attack scene

    Police investigate the scene of the car ramming attack in Munich, Germany on Thursday. (Matthias Balk/dpa via AP)

    The deputy head of Bavaria’s state criminal police office, Guido Limmer, said investigators found a chat, apparently with relatives, in which the suspect wrote “perhaps I won’t be there anymore tomorrow,” but so far they have found nothing that points to concrete preparations for the attack or anyone else being involved. 

    The man had no previous convictions and had a valid residence permit. Tilmann also said there was no indication of mental illness. 

    German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reportedly laid a flower at the attack scene Friday morning, where he condemned “the brutality of this act” and said that it “leaves us stunned.” 

    Memorial at Munich attack site

    Markus Soeder, Prime Minister of Bavaria, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Dieter Reiter, Mayor of Munich, from right, bring flowers on Friday, Feb. 14, to the site of the attack in Munich. (AP/Ebrahim Noroozi)

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    A spokesperson for the vice president told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that Vance and President Zelenskyy will meet on the sidelines of the conference, where the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is likely to be a focus.  

    Fox News’ Rachel Wolf and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

    Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

  • Dem mayor blasted for extending sympathy to suspect killed in officer-involved shooting: ‘Lack of leadership’

    Dem mayor blasted for extending sympathy to suspect killed in officer-involved shooting: ‘Lack of leadership’

    Milwaukee’s Democratic Mayor Cavalier Johnson deleted a social media post following an officer-involved shooting that said the suspect’s death was also a “tragedy,” leading to criticism from the Milwaukee Police Association.

    “My thoughts are with the [Milwaukee Police] officer shot in the line of duty today,” the original X post stated. “The entire incident, including the death of the suspect, is a tragedy.”

    The new version of the post only includes the first line expressing concern for the police officer. 

    NEW YORK STATE PRISON PLACED ON LOCKDOWN AFTER INMATES TAKE OVER, INJURE THREE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

    The officer was allegedly shot by a suspect carrying a rifle before the suspect was slain by another officer, Fox 6 Milwaukee reported.

    As of 2024, Milwaukee is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Wisconsin, according to SafeHome.org (Fox News)

    “The original social media post was put up by a staff member.  When the Mayor saw it, he immediately insisted it be taken down. His sentiments are accurately expressed in the video that was posted,” the mayor’s office told Fox News Digital in an email.

    “My thoughts are with that officer. My thoughts are with that officer’s family. My thoughts are with the Milwaukee Police Department,” Johnson said in the video referenced in his office’s statement. “I’m grateful, and I know that the people of Milwaukee are grateful as well that there are so many brave men and women who are part of this force who put their own selves in the line of danger in order to make sure we have safety in this community.”

    A Johnson spokesperson told Wisconsin Right Now that “an appropriate reprimand is forthcoming” for the staffer who allegedly posted the original comment.

    The Milwaukee Police Association said Johnson’s original post was insulting to law enforcement.

    “MPA President Alexander Ayala contacted the Mayor’s office after seeing a social media post calling the death of a criminal who nearly killed one of our police officers today, a ‘tragedy,’” the association wrote on Facebook. “While we accept the Mayor’s apology that he made in a call to President Ayala, we must make it clear that this sentiment, even in error, insults every Milwaukee Police officer who puts their life on the line for the city.”

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    Officials and popular voices in the region also blasted the deleted post.

    “Law Enforcement’s jobs are made harder by leaders like you who insult their service and sacrifice. A police officer almost didn’t go home today because he was shot by someone endangering his community. That is a tragedy, [mayor],” Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann posted.

    “Your lack of leadership has created the environment for this to happen,” he added.

    “Yes, he really did call the death of a lowlife thug who shot and very nearly killed a Milwaukee Police officer a ‘tragedy,’” Wisconsin-based radio personality Dan O’Donnell posted.

    Milwaukee Syline

    The Milwaukee skyline is seen on July 31, 2018. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

    As of 2024, Milwaukee is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Wisconsin, according to SafeHome.org. Statistics from last year indicate that the murder rate in the city had a decline, but carjackings did see an increase, Fox 6 Milwaukee reported.

    WISCONSIN MAN, DOG FOUND STABBED TO DEATH AT HOME HOURS AFTER POLICE RESPONDED TO POSSIBLE BREAK-IN

    Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at Fox News Digital in Washington D.C. Story tips can be sent to Cameron.Arcand@Fox.com and on Twitter: @cameron_arcand