An elderly woman was killed and two others seriously injured after a 72-year-old nursing home resident allegedly attacked three women with a knife inside a senior living facility in Germany.
The violence erupted around 7 p.m. Friday, October 16, inside the cafeteria of St. Vitus-Stift, a retirement home in the small town of Olfen, about 20 miles north of Dortmund.
According to German police, the suspect, who reportedly uses a wheelchair, attacked three fellow residents without warning, leaving an 86-year-old woman dead at the scene.
Two other residents, ages 81 and 83, suffered serious injuries. The 83-year-old was initially listed in life-threatening condition but was later stabilized, according to German authorities.
Emergency responders rushed to the facility, where a large police presence and two rescue helicopters were deployed. The injured women were transported to hospitals for emergency treatment, including one who was flown to University Hospital Münster.
After the attack, the suspect reportedly returned to his room, where officers located him and took him into custody without resistance.
Police have not publicly identified the man or his victims.
Investigators are now trying to determine what triggered the violence inside a facility intended to provide safety and care for vulnerable older adults.
German media reported that the suspect may have felt mistreated or bullied by other residents and could have been seeking revenge. However, police and prosecutors have not confirmed that account or established a motive.
The day after the attack, investigators remained at the nursing home collecting evidence while shaken relatives arrived to check on loved ones.
Some entrances were restricted, and visitors were escorted through the building as authorities continued their investigation.
One relative told German broadcaster WDR that his grandmother had escaped physical injury but was deeply shaken because she personally knew the woman who died.
The facility, operated by the city of Olfen, houses approximately 77 elderly residents who require nursing assistance. An additional assisted-living complex with 36 apartments is connected to the property. The center also provides specialized care for people living with dementia.
On Saturday, October 17, the Münster District Court issued an arrest warrant for the 72-year-old suspect.
He is accused of one count of manslaughter and two counts of attempted manslaughter in conjunction with aggravated assault under German law. Authorities said he was expected to remain in custody at a prison hospital.
German investigators have established a dedicated homicide team to determine how the attack unfolded, what motivated the suspect and whether there were any warning signs before the violence.
