By Peter Oldenburger
The act in Neukölln had shocked the city. Two girls had been attacked by a young man with a knife in the schoolyard. A thanksgiving service was held on Monday to honor the rescuers.
During the attack on the school premises on Mainzer Strasse on May 3, a seven-year-old and an eight-year-old elementary school student were critically injured by a 38-year-old man with a kitchen knife. The man had attacked the children at the table tennis tables in the schoolyard. About 30 classmates had to watch the act in shock.
The public service in the Martin Luther Church in Neukölln was aimed at all the helpers, police officers, firefighters, psychologists and pastors, but also at the parents and the school team. Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU) and Neukölln’s District Mayor Martin Hikel (SPD) also took part.
They recognized all first responders, police officers and emergency chaplains for their help after the attack.
Bishop Christian Stäblein said: “First of all, we want to thank the people who were there at the moment.” The service was accompanied by music by students, with singing, piano, harp, violin and horn.
More than 200 adults and children attended the moving event. The fact that the two girls are doing much better 19 days after their injury was a particular relief.
Principal Thorsten Knauer-Huckauf: “A terrible event cast its shadow over our school. Thank you for standing by us in times of need. We are grateful for the quick and far-reaching help and support that we have received from the most diverse quarters”.
The apparently mentally ill perpetrator was arrested near the crime scene.