German federal prosecutors have taken charge of the investigation into a stabbing rampage in the city of Solingen that left three people dead, as terrorism is suspected to be the motive. The attack occurred during a festival marking Solingen's 650th anniversary. A 26-year-old Syrian man, identified as Issa Al H., turned himself in to police after a massive manhunt. Federal prosecutors are now investigating him on suspicion of being a member of the Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the assault.

The suspect, whose full last name hasn't been disclosed due to privacy laws, was taken into custody late Saturday. Police also detained a second man who had been in contact with the suspect, although authorities currently consider him a witness in the investigation. The stabbing attack took the lives of three individuals: a 67-year-old man, a 56-year-old man, and a 56-year-old woman, who appeared to have been targeted randomly and were unrelated to each other.

Eyewitness accounts have shed light on the horrific incident. Siavash Hosseini, a 33-year-old Iranian refugee who survived the attack, narrated his close call, stating that the assailant swiftly moved, specifically targeting victims' necks. The Islamic State claimed in a statement that the attacker was a "soldier" who targeted a gathering of Christians in Solingen and sought revenge for Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere.

Solingen, a western city in Germany, is home to around 160,000 inhabitants and has welcomed numerous refugees from countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. The stabbing shocked the community, prompting hundreds of people to gather for a memorial service near the crime scene. A multitude of flowers and tributes have been left to honor the victims. One message simply asked, "Why?"

Germany has experienced a rise in knife-related crimes, leading to calls for stricter weapons laws. The government has pledged to implement tougher measures, including establishing more weapons-free zones. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck emphasized the need for stricter regulations, stating that bladed and stabbing weapons should not be allowed in public spaces.

Fatal stabbings and shootings are rare in Germany, making incidents like the Solingen attack all the more shocking. As investigations unfold, authorities are working tirelessly to establish a clearer understanding of how and why this act of violence unfolded, while the community mourns the loss of three innocent lives.