The suspect in the Leipzig vehicle rampage had already announced his attack in April. According to information from the newspaper "Die Zeit", 33-year-old Jeffrey K. wrote in a chat message to his wife that it had been "a long time since a car drove into a crowd." A spokesman for the Leipzig police confirmed upon inquiry from the newspaper that the message was available to his department, although "only on the evening of the incident." It surfaced during investigations following the rampage.
Before the incident, Jeffrey K. and his wife were already living separately. Investigations by Die Zeit indicate that she had contacted the youth welfare office as early as March. In April, she filed multiple complaints against her husband, including allegations of threats, defamation, and insults.
At least once, Jeffrey K. reportedly threatened to kill other members of the family. Sources familiar with the investigation told Die Zeit that he is believed to suffer from psychosis and had spoken about hearing delusional voices.
After sending the chat message, Jeffrey K. voluntarily admitted himself to a psychiatric hospital on April 17. He was discharged on April 29. That same evening, another police operation took place at the residence of his wife and their child, according to the newspaper’s findings. This was also confirmed by a Leipzig police spokesperson.
Despite these developments, no further measures were taken before the attack on Monday evening, aside from notifying the health authorities. Police stated they would review the “entire course of the operation,” adding that there are currently no indications of any failures.
On Monday afternoon, the suspect drove a car through a busy pedestrian zone in central Leipzig, striking multiple people. A 63-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man were killed in the incident. Six others, aged between 21 and 87, were injured. Two victims, a 75-year-old man and an 84-year-old woman, sustained serious injuries. Authorities confirmed that all of the injured are now out of life-threatening danger.
Investigators have stated that the motive behind the attack remains unclear. There is currently no evidence suggesting a political or religious background. The suspect has since been placed in a psychiatric hospital, where he remains under supervision as the investigation continues.
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