A major police operation unfolded in southern Germany on Wednesday, July 8, after a violent attack at a secondary school in the Bavarian town of Schongau left two schoolgirls seriously injured and prompted the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect.
Authorities have confirmed that the situation is under control and that there is no ongoing danger to the public. Investigators continue working to determine exactly how the attack unfolded and what motivated the suspect.
What Happened?
The incident occurred at Welfen-Gymnasium, a secondary school in Schongau, Upper Bavaria, shortly before 1 p.m. local time.
Emergency services, including heavily armed police officers, ambulances, and multiple rescue helicopters, rushed to the campus after reports of a violent incident involving several people.
Initial reports described the situation as a possible “rampage” (Amoklage), prompting authorities to deploy a large security operation while officers searched the school grounds and secured the area.
Police later confirmed that a 16-year-old male suspect had been arrested.
Victims
According to Bavarian police, two 13-year-old girls suffered serious injuries during the attack.
Officials said both victims were transported to hospital for treatment. Authorities have stated that, despite the seriousness of their injuries, their lives are not believed to be in danger.
Police have not released the identities of the victims because they are minors.
Suspect in Custody
Authorities confirmed that the suspected attacker is a 16-year-old boy who was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said the teenager is a Croatian national who had previously received psychiatric treatment. Police believe he acted alone.
Investigators recovered both a knife and a firearm during the operation, although officials have not yet confirmed which weapon was used to injure the victims. The exact sequence of events remains under investigation.
Large Emergency Response
The attack triggered one of the region’s largest emergency responses in recent months.
Authorities:
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Secured the entire school campus.
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Established a security perimeter around the area.
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Deployed specialized police units.
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Sent multiple rescue helicopters and ambulances.
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Established a family information center for parents and relatives.
Residents were advised to avoid the area while officers completed security sweeps of the school grounds.
Investigation Continues
Police investigators are now working to reconstruct the incident by:
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Interviewing students, teachers, and witnesses.
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Reviewing surveillance footage.
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Collecting forensic evidence.
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Determining the suspect’s movements before the attack.
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Establishing a possible motive.
Officials emphasized that many aspects of the investigation remain preliminary and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Community Response
The attack has shaken the close-knit community of Schongau, a Bavarian town of roughly 12,000 residents.
School officials and local authorities are expected to provide counseling and psychological support for students, teachers, and families affected by the incident.
Parents gathered outside the school as emergency responders worked to secure the campus and reunite students with their families.
Authorities Urge Caution
Police have urged the public to rely only on official updates as the investigation continues.
Authorities also asked people to avoid spreading unverified information online and to respect the privacy of the injured students and their families.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains active as forensic teams continue processing the scene and detectives work to establish the motive behind the attack.
Officials have indicated that additional verified information regarding the circumstances of the incident may be released as the investigation progresses.