A Kosovar teenage jihadist who allegedly wanted to kill “as many Jewish people as possible” was charged with three counts of attempted murder for attacking his teacher, a janitor, and an unknown person near a synagogue, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday.
Identified only as Erjon S, the juvenile suspect was charged on March 31 with assault, aggravated assault, and resisting arrest, in addition to three attempted murder charges.
The teenage Islamist allegedly resolved to engage in jihad against “perceived infidels” in Essen, targeting his teacher, in addition to a janitor he knew. He allegedly intended to kill as many Jews as he could afterward.
In September, the teenager allegedly armed himself with a knife and went to an elementary school, where he punched the janitor and sprayed him with pepper spray. The attacker was unable to utilize the knife because the victim reportedly defended himself.
After the first assault, Erjon then allegedly attacked a teacher at his vocational college, stabbing her multiple times in the upper body.
He then allegedly attended the Old Synagogue in Essen twice, but since he could not find any Jews, he stabbed a stranger in the back.
Suspect attempts to assault police, is shot
Attempting to commit suicide by causing a police officer to kill him and thus to achieve martyrdom, Erjon allegedly ran toward an officer while brandishing his knife. He was shot in the face.
All of the accused’s victims survived, but suffered serious injuries.
Erjon was arrested, and the case was passed over to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office by the Essen Public Prosecutor’s Office. According to Reuters, the federal office assumes jurisdiction when there is a national security component to a crime.