German police make second arrest in fatal stabbing

German police have arrested a second person as they investigate Friday’s stabbing incident that left three people dead and eight injured in the western city of Solingen.

A man was arrested on Saturday night in a building housing refugees near where the incident happened in the city center.

Earlier on Saturday, a 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with a stabbing that shocked Germany. He is not the main suspect – but he is suspected of knowing about the attack.

Two men, aged 56 and 67, and a 56-year-old woman were stabbed to death during the festival, in what Chancellor Olaf Scholz described as a “horrific act”.

A police spokesman in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia – where Solingen is located – said a second arrest was made on Saturday night.

The spokesman did not provide details about the person arrested.

The Bild website reported that SEK police raided the refugee center and arrested the suspect.

It said the building was located about 300m (984ft) from Fronhof – the Solingen market square where people were stabbed on Friday night.

Earlier, investigators found a knife they believe was used by the attacker.

The Islamic State group on Saturday claimed to be from this group.

It did not immediately provide evidence and it was not clear how close the relationship was with the attacker.

It is reported that the assailant stabbed people who were walking during the celebration of the 650th anniversary of the founding of the industrial city of Solingen.

The situation in the scene after the attack was tense, which made it difficult to find the perpetrator, said the police.

They also confirmed that the attacker “targeted” people in the throats and necks.

Solingen – a city famous for its steel industry – has a population of around 160,000. It lies about 25km (15 miles) east of Düsseldorf.

City authorities asked people to evacuate the Fronhof area after the attack at around 22:00 local time (21:00 BST) on Friday.

Three days of celebrations planned for the city – which were expected to draw around 75,000 people – were called off after the attack.

Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach later said that “all of us in Solingen are still shocked, shocked and very sad.

“It hurts my heart that an attack has happened in our city. I am moved to tears when I think of those we have lost.

“I pray for all those who are still fighting for their lives. Another of my deepest sympathies for all those who have experienced this, these images must have been horrific.”

The entrance to Fronhof is now guarded by the police.

People have been bringing flowers and candles to the scene of the incident that shocked the whole country.

Players in Germany’s top Bundesliga league wore black armbands during Saturday’s games.