Police in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt shot an Afghan murder suspect, who died shortly thereafter in the hospital, Saturday.

According to police reports, the 27-year-old Afghan national is said to have attacked another 23-year-old Afghan on Friday with a knife-like object in an apartment building in the town of Wolmirstedt on Saturday. The victim died from his injuries that evening. The motives of the attack are currently still unknown.

The perpetrator then moved aimlessly through the village and eventually entered into a single-family house. He wounded three people and fled the scene. After the police forces were alerted, members of the emergency services found him nearby. The perpetrator attacked two police officers with the knife-like object, and consequently, the police officers used firearms. The perpetrator was sent to the hospital and declared dead after a few hours.

The incident happened on the opening day of the UEFA European Championships 2024, which is being hosted by Germany. The Championships commenced on 14 June 2024 and is expected to conclude on 14 July 2024. Although there is currently no evidence of a religiously motivated act or any other motivation, the Interior Minister has announced an increase in the police presence in the region.

Investigations have been initiated against the police officers involved, conducted by the Magdeburg public prosecutor’s office and the Stendal police station.