2 US Soldiers Arrested in Germany for Fatal Stabbing at Säubrenner Fair

U.S. Soldiers Arrested for⁢ Fatal ​Stabbing at German Funfair

Authorities in Germany have arrested ‍two U.S. soldiers on suspicion of⁤ killing a local ⁣man in his​ late 20s following a​ reported “altercation” at the Wittlich Säubrenner funfair⁢ on Aug. 19, according to police.

Police in the southwestern German city of Trier, located near the Luxembourg border, said in a press⁢ release on Aug.‌ 20 that the two military men, identified only as a 25- and 26-year-old, were visiting the fair with friends when a fight ⁣broke out,​ during which the victim was ⁤stabbed ⁤to death.

Officials have not identified ⁣the victim beyond being a ⁢28-year-old man from Wittlich.

German prosecutors have handed over the case to U.S. investigative⁤ authorities, police said, noting U.S. prosecutors will take over⁣ the⁣ investigation ‍“in⁤ accordance with ⁢NATO ​troop statute.”

“We have ⁢never ​experienced ​this here,” Wittlich Mayor Joachim Rodenkirch said‌ during an interview with local​ media.

A German police spokesperson told NBC News on Aug. 21 that the two⁢ soldiers are ⁣stationed at the U.S. Air Force’s Spangdahlem Air Base, which is close to ⁤Trier.

Since the end of World War II, the ‌United States has had many ‌American troops stationed in Germany. In 1990, toward the‍ end of the Cold ​War, there were around 200,000 soldiers, but​ to this day,⁢ that number has declined to about 34,500.

In July ⁢2020, then-President Donald Trump, citing the difference in contributions to⁣ NATO between ​Washington and‍ Berlin, ​announced that he was going to pull some 9,500 of ‌the roughly​ 34,500 U.S. troops that are ​stationed in Germany. However, President Joe Biden has since stopped the Trump administration’s ⁣plan‍ to bring⁤ back home more U.S. troops.

The U.S. Air Force, meanwhile, told​ the news outlet that the two‍ service ⁣members were questioned and then transferred into U.S. custody.

“This ​is ⁢certainly an intolerable and preventable tragedy in our peaceful community,” Col. Kevin Crofton, commander of ⁣the 52nd Fighter Wing ​stationed at the base, said ‍in⁣ a statement. “We thank⁢ the local Polizei and the Wittlich town leadership for their partnership and patience as the ⁢investigation‍ runs its course.”

City Responds

In a press release⁤ on‍ Aug. 20, Mr. Rodenkirch commended ‍investigative authorities for their dedicated work and for ‍achieving rapid search results.

“The rapid identification and arrest ⁢of‍ the suspects not only shows the high level⁣ of professionalism of our police forces, but also ⁣underlines the importance of well-coordinated cooperation between law enforcement agencies and our city,” the⁣ mayor⁣ said. “This success sends a clear signal to our citizens that their ‍safety ⁣is our top priority.”

In ‌another statement, Mr. Rodenkirch offered‌ his “deepest sympathy” to the parents and family of the victim, saying the ​victim‍ died in ⁤a brutal‍ way at an event “where ‍many people come together to celebrate‌ peacefully.”

“With heavy‌ hearts, the city has decided to let ⁤the fair continue despite ‍the tragedy,” ‌he said. “The decision wasn’t easy. There ‍will certainly be people who are critical of it, ​but we believe it is⁢ important to show that we will⁤ not ⁣let violence⁣ dictate our lives.”