German police search for two men after fatal stabbing of 15-year-old in Marsberg

Fatal confrontation in Marsberg

A violent dispute during a private gathering in Marsberg in the Hochsauerlandkreis district resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy on Saturday evening. The 15-year-old victim, a German citizen residing in Dortmund, suffered severe stab wounds and died directly at the scene of the crime. An 18-year-old Romanian citizen from Marsberg who was accompanying the youth also sustained serious knife wounds during the altercation. Emergency medical personnel transported the injured teenager to a hospital, where doctors admitted him for medical treatment. An official forensic autopsy confirmed on Monday that the 15-year-old died from the direct consequences of the stab wounds.

Manhunt for two suspects from Hamm

The Arnsberg public prosecutor's office and the Dortmund police department launched a joint homicide investigation and manhunt for two men aged 22 and 23. Both suspects reside in the city of Hamm and are known by name to the investigating authorities. The 22-year-old suspect is a Greek national, and the 23-year-old suspect is a Kosovar citizen. A spokesperson for the Arnsberg public prosecutor's office addressed the search on Monday.

They are known to us by name.

Witness statements gathered by police consistently referred to multiple perpetrators during the violent incident. Consequently, investigators are treating both searched men as formal suspects in the homicide case. Law enforcement authorities stated that there is currently no ongoing danger to the general public.

Escalation between groups at a celebration

According to initial findings from the Arnsberg public prosecutor's office, the deadly confrontation began as a verbal argument during a private celebration on Saturday night in Marsberg. The two suspects from Hamm encountered a group of party attendees composed of young people from Marsberg in the Hochsauerlandkreis and Rüthen in the Soest district. The 15-year-old Dortmund resident and the 18-year-old Romanian youth were both part of this regional group during the event. The verbal dispute between the two parties intensified rapidly before turning into physical violence and fatal stabbing. Investigating officers are questioning attendees to determine where the suspects and the victims met and how they were acquainted prior to the confrontation.

Status of inquiries and medical questioning

Law enforcement officials have not released details regarding the specific weapon used in the killing, and the underlying motive remains unconfirmed. Prosecutors noted that it remains under review whether both suspects actively participated in the stabbing or if one delivered the blows while the other stood by. The 18-year-old victim remained hospitalized in stable condition on Monday morning. Investigators scheduled his initial formal interrogation at the hospital as soon as his medical status permitted. Detectives continue to interview additional witnesses from the event to establish the exact sequence of actions leading up to the stabbing.