An 18-year-old schoolgirl and a man were killed on Thursday in what Brandenburg state police are investigating as a violent domestic incident at a private secondary school in Gosen-Neu Zittau, near Berlin. A 19-year-old German man, considered the prime suspect, has been arrested. It is currently unknown if the suspect was a student at the Docemus Privatschulen school.
Police were called to the scene around 1:45 p.m. local time after receiving multiple reports of an attack. Officers discovered two fatally injured individuals. Authorities stated that they believe the incident is linked to a relationship rather than being a random act. The male victim, 30, is understood to have died while attempting to assist the girl, though police have not confirmed the weapon used.
Ulrike Liedtke, speaker of Brandenburg's regional parliament, condemned the killings as a "cowardly femicide." She expressed deep sorrow and anger over the fatal violence against a woman and the death of a citizen who intervened. State premier Dietmar Woidke described the event as an "unimaginable act of violence," emphasizing that schools should be safe havens for young people.
Images from the vicinity of the school showed numerous emergency vehicles, and two rescue helicopters were deployed. On Thursday evening, approximately 70 children and adults gathered at the scene to hold a memorial service with flowers and candles, according to Die Zeit.
The school's managing director, Michael Kunz, announced that classes would be canceled on Friday, but the school will remain open for students seeking support. Emergency chaplains are on-site to offer assistance to students, teachers, and family members.
This incident follows another attack at a secondary school in Bavaria last month, where two girls were seriously wounded. A 16-year-old suspect was arrested in that case, which police described as a suspected "rampage" at the Welfen grammar school in Schongau. The alleged perpetrator in the Bavaria incident reportedly attempted to flee but was apprehended shortly after.