Man claiming responsibility for fatal knife attack in Germany turns himself in to police

A 26-year-old man claimed responsibility for the fatal knife attack in Solingen, Germany that killed three people and injured eight others at a festival celebrating the city’s 650th anniversary.

Duesseldorf police, in a joint statement with the prosecutor’s office, said the man “stated that he was responsible for the attack,” the Associated Press reported.

The attack killed two men, aged 67 and 56, and a 56-year-old woman, authorities said. Police also said that the attacker apparently tried to aim for his victims’ throats on purpose.

The program Solingen” Festival of Diversity,” which was expected to draw about 75,000 people, the Washington Post reported, included live music, theater, cabaret and acrobatics, with food from around the world.

The festival was slated to run through Sunday but was canceled as authorities closed off the area for investigation.

Authorities are investigating on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and membership in a foreign terrorist organization, the AP reported.

The suspect is a Syrian citizen who applied for asylum in Germany, police confirmed to the news wire.

A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office told the dpa news agency it was investigating the man who turned himself in on suspicions of membership with the Islamic State.

The news came a day after the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating the attacker targeted Christians “to avenge Muslims in Palestine and everything,” per the AP. The claims were not independently verified.

Police earlier said a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion he knew about the planned attack and did not tell authorities, but that he was not the perpetrator, the AP reported.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.