Knife attack in Upgant-Schott: doubts about the perpetrator's intention to kill!

Knife attack in Upgant-Schott: doubts about the perpetrator's intention to kill!

A grueling process has agitated people in Aurich. A 46-year-old man from Upgant-Schott is in the dock for attempted murder. What exactly happened? On February 19 this year, the defendant attacked his 32-year-old ex-partner with a large kitchen knife. This bitter episode not only led to a court case, but also highlighted the growing knife violence in Germany.

The public prosecutor brought the case before the jury chamber of the Aurich regional court. Chairman Malte Sanders has already expressed concerns about the defendant's intention to kill. The ex-partner had separated from him some time before the incident, due, among other things, to suspicions of infidelity and excessive alcohol consumption. At the time the violence occurred, both were still living under the same roof. The defendant was about to move into his own apartment.

The crime and its circumstances

When the woman slammed the door behind her, the defendant followed her into the living room. He kicked in the door, overpowered her in a headlock and performed stabbing movements that only hit the door leaf. Fortunately, the woman and her two small children were able to escape to safety. A friend of the defendant reported that his aggressive tendencies were often accompanied by the consumption of alcohol. The police finally found him in a field two hours after the crime in a drunken state with a blood alcohol level of over three thousand.

A psychiatric expert diagnosed the defendant as having alcohol addiction and a combined personality disorder. He was skeptical as to whether placement in a rehabilitation center would be successful. This problem is not only evident in this case. It is also reflected in the general trends that can be seen in Germany.

A look at knife violence in Germany

The police crime statistics for 2023 show a dramatic increase of 27,141 cases of dangerous and serious bodily harm with knives. This represents an increase of 9.7% compared to the previous year. Psychological and biochemical factors play a decisive role here. Experts report a connection between toxic images of masculinity and the increase in knife violence, especially among young men between the ages of 15 and 35.

• 62 % der männlichen Täter betrachten Messer als Ausdruck von Stärke.
• 38 % der Messerangreifer zeigen Symptome psychischer Störungen.
• 47 % der Messerangriffe geschahen unter Alkoholeinfluss.

Alcohol consumption is a major factor affecting impulse control. This leads to an increased likelihood that a knife carried will actually be used in conflict. Studies also show that victims of violence often tend to carry a knife for self-defense.

The events in Aurich are symptomatic of a broader social challenge. Prevention of this violence is urgently needed. School-based conflict management programs and alcohol prevention measures could bring significant success in the fight against violence. So the discussion will continue as the process in Aurich continues to unfold.

For more information on this frightening topic, you can read the reporting from NWZonline, Lab News and MDR consult.