The public prosecutor’s office in Leipzig announced on Friday that it has filed charges against a 33-year-old German man following the rampage in central Leipzig. The man is accused of killing two people and attempting to kill another 85 people on May 4th on Grimmaische Straße.
The indictment, slated for trial at the Leipzig Regional Court, includes charges of murder in two connected cases, attempted murder in 85 instances, severe and dangerous interference with road traffic in 91 cases, and dangerous bodily harm in eight cases. Besides the two fatal victims, eight other individuals were injured: four directly by the vehicle and four more due to collisions with apprehended people. The prosecutor’s office asserts that the criteria for murder-specifically treacherous intent, low motives, and the use of a universally dangerous means-are fully met.
After his provisional arrest, the suspect was held in a psychiatric hospital. According to the public prosecutor’s office, a preliminary assessment from a forensic-psychiatric expert found no indication of diminished or lacking capacity for guilt. Consequently, the authorities have requested the lifting of the hospitalization order and the issuance of an arrest warrant, a decision that the Regional Court has yet to make.
The man has no prior criminal record and has not commented on the matter to the investigating authorities, though he did speak with the expert. The public prosecutor’s office did not release further details regarding the incident ahead of the upcoming main trial.
