Overview

• A mass stabbing occurred at a bar in Bielefeld, Germany, at approximately 4:20 a.m. on May 18, 2025, leaving five people injured, three of them seriously.
• The attacker used a knife and a cane sword with a retractable blade to indiscriminately assault patrons before fleeing the scene on foot.
• Police recovered a rucksack at the scene containing additional weapons, a bottle of flammable liquid, and a residence permit linked to a Syrian national.
• The Kurfürst homicide squad, led by First Chief Inspector Markus Mertens, is treating the incident as a premeditated assault and has launched a manhunt for the suspect.
• Authorities have described the fugitive as approximately 1.70 meters tall, wearing a white T-shirt, dark jacket, and cap, and possibly bearing facial injuries from being overpowered by bar patrons.