Stabbing Incident at Essen Vocational School: Teacher Injured

Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia - A shocking incident occurred at a vocational school when a 17-year-old student reportedly attacked a 45-year-old teacher with a knife, causing serious injuries. The teacher was immediately hospitalized and underwent surgery but is currently out of life-threatening danger, according to emergency services.

The attack took place during a break at the educational institution located in the Nordviertel district. Initial reports indicated the student was 18, but authorities later corrected this to 17. The assailant, a student in the teacher's class, approached her during the break and, under unclear circumstances, drew a knife and stabbed her in the abdomen.

After the attack, the student fled the scene but inadvertently left behind a health insurance card, which led authorities to begin their search for him. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect approximately three kilometers from the school in a park shortly after the incident. When a special police unit attempted to apprehend him, he allegedly charged at officers, wielding a knife, prompting them to fire shots that resulted in his serious injury. He was subsequently intubated by emergency medical personnel.

The police indicated that, based on preliminary investigations, the incident appears to be the act of a single perpetrator, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. In response to the attack, heavily armed police units were deployed to the school, creating a secure perimeter while a police helicopter monitored the situation from above.

Essen's Mayor, Thomas Kufen, arrived at the scene to assess the situation. The park where the suspect was apprehended is in close proximity to the city's main train station, causing significant traffic disruptions due to the police operation.

In addition to the injured teacher, several students were affected by the traumatic event. Reports indicate that at least ten students experienced shock due to witnessing the attack or assisting the teacher before emergency services arrived. The school environment was filled with anxiety as students were guided out of the building, with many barricading themselves in classrooms in accordance with lockdown procedures.

The North Rhine-Westphalia Minister of Education, Dorothee Feller, expressed her support for the school community, stating that psychological assistance would be provided to both students and staff. She emphasized the importance of collective healing in the wake of such a distressing incident and extended her best wishes for the teacher's recovery.