Uncovering the Reason Behind the ICE Attack: A Look into Violence, Substance Abuse, and Prayer
In a shocking incident, a 20-year-old Syrian man identified as Mohammed A. attacked passengers with a hammer on an ICE train travelling from Hamburg to Vienna near Straßkirchen in Bavaria on July 3, 2025.
According to eyewitness accounts, the suspect, who had been noticed during the train journey, prayed with a carpenter's hammer before the attack and uttered the words "Allahu Akbar." However, at this stage, no motive has been established, and police continue their investigation.
The attack resulted in five people being injured, including the suspect. Four other victims, aged between 15 and 51, were injured with varying severity; three of them, like the perpetrator, are Syrian nationals. A 38-year-old German was also among the victims.
The attacker was overpowered by passengers who wrested the weapon from him, and he was subsequently arrested by police. He was airlifted to hospital due to serious injuries sustained during the confrontation and remains in police custody receiving medical treatment.
The railway line was temporarily closed, emergency services and psychological support were provided to passengers, and an emergency response with about 150 personnel was deployed.
Stefan Schillinger, head of the criminal directorate at the Lower Bavarian Police Headquarters, provided information about the incident. The man has not been known to the authorities for any state security-related incidents. After two convictions for severe bodily harm and attempted resistance against the authorities in February and late April 2025, a procedure to withdraw asylum was initiated against the man in May.
It is currently assumed that the man acted alone. The 20-year-old Syrian man lived in Austria and had a protection status. The man filed an asylum application in Austria in 2021 and received a protection status in 2022.
Investigators are in contact with the Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism of the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office. Chief Prosecutor Thomas Rauscher stated that it cannot be ruled out that the attack was triggered by a drug-induced psychosis.
Chief Prosecutor Rauscher confirmed the investigation of the 20-year-old for attempted murder in two cases and dangerous bodily harm. The 24-year-old Syrian, one of the victims, was able to take the hammer from the suspect and injure him in self-defense, according to Chief Prosecutor Rauscher.
At this time, no criminal charges have been filed against the attacker, as investigations are ongoing. The man tested positive for three sedatives in his blood. No one is reported to be in life-threatening condition.
- The shocking incident on the ICE train involving Mohammed A. has sparked discussions in various domains, with health-and-wellness offices providing psychological support to passengers and general-news outlets extensively reporting the event.
- Coincidentally, the suspect's past includes two convictions for severe bodily harm and attempted resistance against authorities, raising questions in politics and justice about the monitoring of individuals with such a background, particularly in the context of crime-and-justice policies.
- As the investigation progresses, other areas such as science and research may also play a role in understanding potential motivations behind the attack, given the indication of possible drug-induced psychosis mentioned by Chief Prosecutor Thomas Rauscher.
