Knifeman who killed police officer & injured five at anti-Islam rally is dad-of-two who ‘radicalised’ over the last year

THE killer knifeman who rampaged through an anti-Islam rally on Friday is a dad-of-two who was “radicalised” in the last year, claim shocked neighbours.

A 29-year-old police officer was murdered during the frenzied knife attack in Mannheim, Germany with five others being left injured as the investigation continues into the motive of the attacker.

The 25-year-old knifeman Sulaiman Ataee was described by neighbours as becoming radicalised in the last yearReuters

AP

German police officers pay their respects to the man after hearing about his tragic death[/caption]

The moment the attacker lunged at a person working at the rally

The knifeman, named as 25-year-old Sulaiman Ataee, is thought to still be alive despite footage appearing to show him being shot by cops in the following melee.

But shocking revelations from those who lived in the same building as Ataee have revealed they felt he had been “radicalised” over the last few months.

One man said: “He used to be normal. Recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed.

“He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold. He suddenly became more reserved – and also more aggressive.”

Ataee was found to have immigrated to Germany from Afghanistan in 2014 when he was just 15 years old.

The bearded brute lives with his German wife and two children – a three-year-old and a baby who is almost one.

The family-of-four have lived in a flat in Heppenheim for three years.

Their home is only a 25-minute drive from where the horror stabbing took place.

Another unnerved neighbour told Bild: “He was inconspicuous, we greeted each other usually.

“But recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed. He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold.

“He suddenly became more reserved – and also more aggressive.”

People who spoke to MailOnline said the family often kept themselves private.

They were rarely seen speaking to others in the residential block and were largely seen as completely inconspicuous.

A woman who lives on the same floor as Ataee and his family said: “I just feel sorry for his wife and kids. They have to suffer now because of what that man did.”

During the heinous assault, a heroic police officer was stabbed several times in the head and neck with his death being announced on Sunday.

After being taken to hospital for emergency surgery immediately after the attack the cop was put into a coma before passing away.

A joint statement from the German police and prosecutors said: “He underwent an emergency operation immediately after the crime and was put into an artificial coma, but succumbed to his serious injuries late in the afternoon on Sunday, June 2.

“We mourn a police officer who gave his life for our safety.”

HOW THE ATTACK UNFOLDED

At around 11.30am local time on Friday, May 31, a YouTube live stream captured the moment a bearded man launched an attack at a rally in Germany.

Footage shows him brandishing a huge knife before lunging at far-right activist Michael Stürzenberger as they both tumbled to the floor.

The footage appeared to show Stürzenberger being stabbed in the face, neck and chest.

Shocking footage shows blood dripping from a hole in his jeans and dripping near his eyes.

Other men dressed in blue, who appear to have been involved in the rally, attempt to pull the attacker from his victim.

Police swarmed the scene as one of the officers was attacked by the knifeman.

Two cops then aimed their guns at the attacker as he was laid on the ground as shots rang out.

The knifeman rolled onto his back, laid still, and died, Bild reports.

Four other people were wounded during the rampage and no information has been revealed yet on their condition.

Local authorities said yesterday: “All of the injured were subsequently taken to various hospitals, where some of them had to undergo emergency surgery.”

German media claim Ataee is a 25-year-old who was born in Afghanistan and now lives in Germany.

German interior minister Nancy Faeser said on Friday afternoon: “The investigation will clarify the background to this crime.

“If the investigation reveals an Islamist motive, then that would be further confirmation of the great danger posed by Islamist acts of violence that we have warned about.”

Stefanie Kizina, treasurer of the BPE group, told Bild: “This was not an attack, but an act of terror.

“The attack happened before the event even started, it must have been planned well in advance.”

Mannheim Police said after the attack: “According to current information, an attack on several people took place today at around 11:35 a.m. on the market square in Mannheim.

“One person is said to have attacked several people with a knife and injured them. No information can be given yet about the extent and severity of the injuries.

“A firearm was then used against the attacker. The attacker was also injured as a result.”

The police added: “Rescue and emergency services as well as the rescue helicopter are in action. There is no danger to the public.

“Rail traffic between the Kurpfalzkreisel and Paradeplatz is closed until further notice.”

Minutes after the rampage, forensic investigators, masked special forces, and state criminal police officers arrived on scene.

Pictures show investigators on the scene the day after the attack cleaning up the blood and setting up forensic testing.

Instagram

Anti-Muslim activist Michael Stürzenberger shared this picture from his hospital bed after the stabbing[/caption]

AFP

The scene in Mannheim, western Germany after the attack as cops started to complete forensic testing[/caption]