On March 3, a 40‑year‑old driver violently entered a pedestrian zone during Mannheim’s carnival fair, killing two and injuring 14, and was later convicted of murder and attempted murder.
Court Verdict
A Mannheim Regional Court sentenced the 40‑year‑old driver to a life prison term for murder and attempted murder. The judgment is not yet final, but the court ordered him to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. The request came from both prosecution and defense.
Motive Behind the Attack
Investigators say the man suffered intense animosity, particularly toward his father, and had shown signs of a psychiatric disorder in his youth. Judges concluded that he sought attention by inflicting violence, hoping people would read about his deeds. Initial speculation about a political motive was later ruled out.
Accident at Mannheim Carnival Fair
On 3 March, amid crowds at the city’s carnival fair, the driver entered a pedestrian zone. He initially travelled at 50 km/h, later accelerating to 80 km/h. Two people—an 83‑year‑old woman and a 54‑year‑old man—were killed, and fourteen others were injured. The driver was stopped by a taxi driver in a dead‑end street.
Aftermath and Arrest
While detained, the driver claimed to have taken a handgun, then disappeared into a railway tunnel where police found him. Sources from Die Zeit report that he briefly attempted self‑harm. He was subsequently charged and remains in custody pending final verdict.