Dusseldorf, Oct 18. (dpa/GNA) – An 86-year-old woman was killed and two others seriously injured in a knife attack at a care home in western Germany on Friday evening, police said.
The two injured women were aged 81 and 83. All three victims, were residents of the home in the town of Olfen, near Dortmund.
The suspect, a 72-year-old man who also lived at the home, was arrested without resistance, police said. A homicide investigation team has been set up.
An arrest warrant was issued for the 72-year-old suspect late on Saturday, prosecutors said. He is expected to be held in pre-trial detention at a prison hospital on charges of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter along with serious bodily harm.
The 83-year-old woman was initially in a critical condition, but officials said on Saturday that her condition had stabilized.
Police said the man stabbed the women in the care home’s cafeteria on Friday evening. The 86-year-old died at the scene.
He also attacked other residents with the knife. Two rescue helicopters landed outside the building in the evening. Police also responded in large numbers.
The attack took place at the St Vitus-Stift care home, which is home to 77 elderly people, who require nursing care and support due to health problems.
These are “people with varying abilities who require support and care due to health impairments,” the operator said.
Attached to the centre is an assisted living facility with 36 accessible flats. There are also residential groups for elderly people suffering from dementia.
The senior citizens’ centre is run by the town of Olfen. The motive and the nature of the suspect’s relationship with the three women were initially unclear.
The Bild newspaper reported that the suspect had told officers he felt he had been bullied, and had wanted to take revenge on his fellow residents.
It was reported that, after the incident, the man, who is believed to have been in a wheelchair, had rolled himself back to his room. It was initially unclear when he was due to appear before a magistrate.
GNA