Tonight, a brutal knife attack shook the city of Bielefeld. At around midnight, a 24-year-old Syrian man stormed the popular student bar ‘Cutie’ in the historic city centre and seriously injured five people, two of whom are in mortal danger. The police have classified the offence as a targeted attack, possibly with a terrorist background, and have launched an extensive investigation.
According to media reports, the perpetrator, a 24-year-old Syrian asylum seeker, entered the popular bar in Bielefeld’s old town and, without warning, pulled out his murder weapon – a so-called cane sword, a combination of a cane and a blade – and stabbed the guests. Panic broke out within seconds. Guests fled, tables were overturned and screams filled the room.
Five people, including two students aged 22 and 24, were seriously injured. Two of the victims had to undergo emergency surgery and were in a critical condition after the attack. The injuries ranged from deep stab wounds to the upper body to severe cuts to the limbs.
The perpetrator was pulled down by guests, but was able to pull himself together, break free and flee on foot. In the process, the assassin lost his rucksack. In it: more weapons and a bottle of flammable liquid. Also a residence permit issued to a Syrian.
And – as usual: according to the police, the perpetrator was already known to the authorities, but not for extremist activities, but for ‘minor offences’ such as theft and assault. His asylum application was still being processed. The police are currently investigating whether the perpetrator had links to extremist groups. So far, there is no claim of responsibility or concrete evidence of a terrorist network, but the brutality of the offence and the weapons he was carrying point to an Islamic-motivated act.
The police have carried out a major manhunt at the scene and cordoned off a large area of the old town. In addition, ‘due to the politically explosive nature of the crime’, the police set up a special organisation (BAO) to ensure the deployment of many officers from different authorities under a unified command and coordination.
Witnesses report a second object – a cane sword, a martial weapon more reminiscent of past centuries than of nightlife in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The police no longer describe it as an attack, but as a planned assault. The perpetrator, who managed to escape, left behind a rucksack with disturbing contents: flammable liquid, other weapons – and an official document issued to a Syrian national. The homicide squad, known internally as the ‘Kurfürst’, has taken over the investigation. They are working at full speed because the perpetrator is still on the run – and armed.
Der Messer-Syrer von #Bielefeld lebte zwischen Kuhwiesen und Freibad in einem zum Flüchtlingsheim umfunktionierten Bauernhof. Die Polizei durchsuchte das Gebäude. NIUS ist vor Ort!https://t.co/4xucNrDq4C pic.twitter.com/qxrvABfJ0s
— NIUS (@niusde_) May 18, 2025
Translation: The knifeman from #Bielefeld lived between a pasture and an outdoor pool in a farmhouse that had been converted into a refugee shelter. The police searched the building. NIUS is on site!