An 86-year-old woman has died, and two others, also in their 80s, have been injured after a knife attack at a care home.
On Friday, residents of St Vitus-Stiff retirement home in Germany’s Münsterland region sat together eating dinner around 7pm, as they did on any normal evening.
But their mundane evening turned into horror when a 72-year-old man violently assaulted three fellow residents.
The unnamed man, who uses a wheelchair, is reported to have stabbed one person in the neck before continuing his rampage.
Police discovered the 86-year-old in the canteen. She was pronounced dead at the scene, having sustained severe stab wounds.
An 83-year-old resident was taken to hospital and fought for her life overnight.
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By this morning, police said her condition had stabilised.
A third resident, aged 81, was seriously injured and remains hospitalised in North Rhine-Westphalia.
As reported by Bild, two rescue helicopters arrived at the care home and airlifted both injured women to the University Hospital.
Following his stabbing spree, the assailant is said to have returned to his room at the home before surrendering without resistance.
A homicide unit is now investigating the incident.
It is currently unclear what the nature of the man’s relationship with the three women was, nor is it known where the knife came from.
He told investigators afterwards that he washed the weapon and placed it in a drawer, which is where officers found it.
Local media added that the man told police he felt ‘bullied’ for several years, reportedly seeking ‘revenge’ on other residents.
He has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital and is under police guard before appearing in front of a judge today.
St Vitus-Stiff houses 77 elderly people with various health impairments who need care.
The building is attached to an assisted living facility comprising 36 barrier-free apartments, while group homes onsite house residents with dementia.
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