Trial Begins for Fatal Stabbing of Security Guard in Refugee Shelter

A 38-year-old woman is facing charges for allegedly fatally stabbing a security guard at a refugee shelter in Potsdam. As the trial commenced, a fellow employee of the victim provided insight into the events of that tragic night.

The accused, who holds South African citizenship, has denied the charges through her attorney, opting to remain silent during the proceedings. She is alleged to have attacked a 33-year-old Syrian security guard, inflicting fatal wounds to his chest with a knife during an incident last year.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in late May when the woman encountered the security guard at the entrance of the facility. Earlier, he had informed her that she was not permitted to enter the shelter carrying a knife. In a sudden escalation, she reportedly lunged at him with the weapon, stabbing him twice in the chest.

After the attack, the suspect fled the scene. The victim was discovered approximately 20 minutes later and was rushed to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The first day of the trial featured testimony from a colleague of the deceased, who recounted the moments leading up to the discovery of the victim. He had briefly left his post to retrieve an item and received a frantic call from a distraught resident, informing him that someone was lying on the ground. He quickly returned to the shelter, where he found the 33-year-old security guard on the floor.

Upon seeing the blood, the witness immediately called for medical assistance. The injured guard was conscious and reported being attacked by individuals wearing masks, which made identification impossible. The colleague expressed disbelief that the victim would die, noting that while there was blood, it did not appear to be an excessive amount.

The accused was known to the witness, but he claimed not to have seen her when he returned to the shelter, as he was unaware of the attack at that moment. He stated that had he known, he would have paid closer attention.

During his testimony, the colleague described the accused as having exhibited problematic behavior in various shelters prior to the incident, where she had received multiple bans. He mentioned that she had previously injured another resident with a knife in a different facility. The witness characterized the shelter in western Potsdam as her last opportunity for residence.

Despite her history of disruptive behavior, which included verbal abuse towards other residents and creating disturbances, he noted that he had not witnessed any violent actions from her in his presence. The accused reportedly had a reputation for being confrontational, using derogatory language, and disturbing the peace, including spitting at students from a nearby dormitory. Additionally, she had previously warned security staff about carrying a knife, although she claimed she would not bring it into the shelter.

The trial continues as the court examines the evidence surrounding this tragic event, focusing on the circumstances that led to the death of the security guard.