This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
On July 29, 2019, a heinous crime shook the nation when an 8-year-old boy was pushed in front of an arriving ICE high-speed train at a German station.
The boy's mother, also 40, narrowly escaped with her life, but her child was not so fortunate. The suspect, a 40-year-old man of African origin, was unrelated to the victims and fled the scene but was quickly overpowered by passers-by and detained by police.
"The boy and his mother were pushed in front of an arriving train," said a police spokeswoman. "The mother was able to save herself."
Passers-by chased after the fleeing suspect, who had attempted but failed to push a third person onto the tracks. He was arrested near the station, according to reports.
Interior Minister Horst Seehofer cut short his summer holiday to address the incident, stating that he would meet with the heads of major security authorities.
"The background to this heinous crime is still unclear," Seehofer said. "It is now the task of the investigating authorities to clear it up as quickly and comprehensively as possible. The perpetrator will be held responsible for the crime by all legal means."
