A teacher is in critical condition after being stabbed in the neck by two Syrian migrants. The crime took place in the northern town of Wedel at the community’s Volkshochschule – an adult education center that also offers integration and professional language courses for refugees.
The attack occurred on July 19, sending a shockwave through the small community. As a 67-year-old lecturer was walking in the parking lot of the school, he was attacked by two Syrian brothers – both in their early 20s.
After being stabbed, the teacher was able to flee back inside the school for help, altering an administrator who immediately called police. Upon the arrival of emergency services, he was able to identify his attackers. He was taken to hospital and has since been stabilized.
The suspects fled the scene but were later detained by police after a search that included both helicopter and canine patrols.
While police were initially tight-lipped about the potential motive for the crime, it has since been revealed that the Syrians were students at the adult education center. During police interrogation, the brothers admitted they disliked the school and had grievances about their courses – particularly mathematics.
It is unknown if the men had been students of the instructor who was stabbed, but police have stated the suspects were known to the victim.
The teacher who was stabbed reportedly instructs butter-churning classes at the center.
Wedel is located in the Schleswig-Holstein district of Pinneberg and borders directly on the west of Hamburg. According to the community’s website, the adult education center provides continuing education across multiple subjects and special interest classes.
“The adult education center is a place of lifelong learning, an educational and meeting center for all citizens, companies, institutions, clubs and associations of our region,” the website reads. “With our work, we stand for equal educational opportunities for all.”
In addition to offering basic education programs, the center also offers integration and professional language courses, including German as a second language, targeted at refugees and other migrants.
