Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Six-year-old in Pragsdorf was stabbed: Police are still looking for the perpetrator and the murder weapon
Police officers, including a diver, are searching for the crime on the shore of the lake in Pragsdorf near Neubrandenburg
© Bernd Wüstneck / DPA
A six-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Pragsdorf, Mecklenburg. The child was previously reported missing after he failed to return from playing in the village. The police have so far been unsuccessful in their search for the perpetrator and the still unknown stabbing tool.
Horrible crime in eastern Mecklenburg: In A six-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Pragsdorf near Neubrandenburg. This was revealed by the forensic medical examination on Friday, a police spokeswoman said. The body had several injuries that were caused by a – as yet unknown – piercing tool.
“The police are investigating manslaughter and are pursuing several investigative approaches,” said the spokesman for the Neubrandenburg public prosecutor’s office, Tim Wischmann, to the German Press Agency. As of late afternoon, no suspect had been identified. “Ostseewelle Hit-Radio Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania” had previously reported on this.
The boy was found by firefighters on Thursday evening in the bushes near a football field on a lake with “massive injuries to his upper body.” Attempts to resuscitate her immediately and were quickly transported to a clinic were unsuccessful. The doctors could not save the child’s life.
The parents had let the six-year-old into the village to play on Thursday, as they often did. The child was then reported missing because he did not return home as agreed and initial searches were unsuccessful. According to police, the missing person report was received shortly before 8 p.m. Officers from surrounding districts and riot police immediately searched the area in Pragsdorf, a police spokeswoman said. The lifeless boy was found by firefighters around 9 p.m. on Thursday.
“Terrible find”
Only 580 people live in Pragsdorf on federal highway 104 and, according to mayor Ralf Opitz, a comparatively large number of children live. “I also took part in the search – until my comrades made the terrible discovery,” said the 54-year-old.
Public prosecutor Wischmann did not yet want to decide whether the place of discovery was also the crime scene. However, residents reported that they heard loud voices at the football field on Thursday, which could possibly have come from an argument. According to Wischmann, the police were able to secure many clues at the site.
The area was still largely cordoned off with red and white tape on Friday. Police and helpers were looking for a murder weapon and other evidence. A metal detector was also used near the lake. Divers also arrived – but so far without success, it was said. In the afternoon, search chains of 25 officers each were formed. They systematically swept the area with long iron rods, slowly moving away from the lake.
There was a lot of movement in the village on Friday. A number of reporters attempted to interview residents – which some found strange. But the residents themselves were also out and about: they were asked by the police to a fire station and community center, where they were questioned about the events. When residents met each other afterwards, they also exchanged ideas.
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Fundraiser for the family of the dead child
“The level of sympathy and the willingness to make statements is very high – this now needs to be written down and compared,” said a police spokeswoman. If no suspect is found, the investigation will continue over the weekend. Nothing can be said about the motive yet.
The community of Pragsdorf expressed its sadness after the child’s death on the Facebook internet platform. “It was with sadness and dismay that we learned this morning of the terrible violent crime and J.’s death. Of course, our thoughts at the moment are primarily with the family and relatives,” it said. At the same time, people asked that any useful information be reported to the police immediately.
The community’s Facebook page also highlighted a fundraiser for the dead child’s family. Within a few hours, around 20,000 euros had already been collected.
There should also be a service in the church in Pragsdorf on Friday evening (6 p.m.). “In this difficult hour, let us say goodbye to a person who had to go far too soon. The family should know that they are not alone with their pain at this time,” it said on the website.
Boy recently started school
According to Mayor Ralf Opitz, the boy only started school in August. The Schwerin Ministry of Education announced that psychologists should support classmates in primary school in Burg Stargard as well as the teaching staff. A place of mourning has also been set up in the school.
“While the death leaves us extremely affected and speechless, it is our task and duty to now support families and friends, classmates and teachers in dealing with the unbelievable situation,” said Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Education Minister Simone Oldenburg (Left). quoted. “You have my deepest sympathy.”
From Monday, performance assessments will be waived at the affected school for an entire week. School psychologists are on site. A letter offering support was sent to parents. Those affected should also receive psychological support if they wish.