Afzal Muhammad, a taxi driver originally from Pakistan who later became a German citizen, has been widely praised for his heroic actions in preventing further harm during Monday’s car attack in Mannheim, which claimed at least two lives.
Christian Specht, the mayor of Mannheim and a member of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), commended Muhammad during a memorial service for the victims held earlier today. “He acted with incredible bravery, pursuing the attacker and ultimately blocking his vehicle to stop further damage,” Specht stated.
Muhammad, who has lived in Germany for 15 years. Specht also shared that the taxi driver credited his courageous actions to his faith and his sense of duty as a citizen.
Also read: New Trump travel ban could bar Pakistanis from entering US
Authorities revealed that the assailant, a 40-year-old German national, attempted to escape but was quickly apprehended. During his flight, the attacker tried to take his own life by shooting himself in the mouth. He survived the attempt and was hospitalized before being handed over to law enforcement.
Investigators believe the suspect suffers from psychological issues, prompting further evaluations. Authorities have seized multiple items from his house and vehicle, including guns, documents, and digital storage devices, which are now undergoing forensic analysis.
