More than 30 people were injured in the attack, some seriously, including ten firefighters and two police officers. Residents cannot explain why the alleged perpetrator did this.
Several weapons were found in the high-rise apartment, as well as several knives and daggers. Interior Minister Herbert Reul made an emotional appeal to all officers on the police intranet after the explosion in Ratingen, North Rhine-Westphalia. He wrote: "I am deeply saddened by this terrible operation – and frankly, angry. All forces had only good intentions in mind"