A vehicle attack in Munich left at least 39 people injured, including several children. The suspect, Farhad Noori, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker, admitted to intentionally driving into the crowd. Authorities believe there is a religious motivation with signs of Islamist influence, but no confirmed ties to extremist organizations.
Noori described himself as religious and attended a mosque regularly. His WhatsApp messages included a farewell message that hinted at possible self-sacrifice. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on why the Verdi rally was targeted and if Noori had prior knowledge of it.
Two people, including a 2-year-old child, remain in critical condition. Doctors are fighting to save the toddler’s life. The suspect was “secured” at the scene and was known to police due to his previous work as a store detective.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed shock and condolences for the victims and their families. Police identified the attack site near Munich’s central train station, where a Verdi trade union rally was taking place with police presence. The incident occurred less than two months after another car plowed through a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing two people and injuring nearly 70 others.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/car-drives-pedestrians-munich-police-injuries/story?id=118772210