2 US servicemen arrested in fatal stabbing at German funfair

August 21, 2023

Two US military men have been arrested in western Germany after a local man was stabbed to death in a fight at a funfair.

The servicemen — aged 25 and 26 — are based at the US Air Force’s Spangdahlem Air Base, according to police in the city of Trier.

They were part of a group of at least two people seen at the Säubrenner fair in nearby Wittlich when a 28-year-old German national was stabbed to death during an “argument,” the department said.

“These are US military personnel who visited the Säubrenner fair with friends,” police said after the pair were picked up late Saturday.

German prosecutors were “therefore handing over the case to the American prosecuting authorities in accordance with the NATO troop statute,” the department said.

People shielding themselves from heavy ran at a funfair in Germany. — The victim was stabbed to death at a German funfair, like the one pictured here earlier this month.

Both men were “handed over to the American investigative authority” on Sunday, Trier police said.

One of the soldiers had a wound on his face, according to Agence France-Presse, citing regional public service broadcaster SWR.

The Air Force confirmed to NBC News that the two men were questioned and then transferred into US custody.

“This is certainly an intolerable and preventable tragedy in our peaceful community,” Col. Kevin Crofton, commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing stationed at the base, told NBC News in a statement.

“We thank the local Polizei and the Wittlich town leadership for their partnership and patience as the investigation runs its course.”

The victim has also not been identified beyond being a 28-year-old man from Wittlich.

“We’ve never experienced anything like this here”, Wittlich mayor Joachim Rodenkirch told local media.