Hamburg attacker was known to authorities as an 'Islamist'

The suspect who stormed into a supermarket in Hamburg and killed one person with a knife was known to authorities, the city's interior minister has said. 


The man, who also injured several others in the attack, was known to authorities as an "Islamist" according to the city-state's interior minister Andy Grote. 


"He was known as an Islamist but not a jihadist," said Grote, noting "there are indications of radicalization." 


He added that while there could have been an Islamist motive for the attack, the suspect also suffered from psychological problems. 


"It remains unclear which was the overriding element," he said. 


Police piecing together the assault yesterday said the man had entered the supermarket and took a kitchen knife measuring around 20cm from shelves. 


"He ripped off the packaging and then suddenly brutally attacked the 50-year-old man who later died," said police spokeswoman Kathrin Hennings. 


He later wounded two other men in the supermarket before fleeing, injuring others along the way, before he was overpowered by courageous passers-by. 


Police identified the attacker as a 26-year-old man, born in the United Arab Emirates. 


Police confirmed that they were alerted to the attack by witnesses, who had given chase and overpowered the suspect. 


Plainclothes officers captured the man, who was slightly injured

Source: NNA