Two dead in school attack near Berlin; police arrest 19-year-old suspect

Two people have died following a violent incident at a private school in Gosen-Neu Zittau, a town near Berlin, German authorities said on Thursday.

According to local media, the deceased are an 18-year-old student of the Docemus school and a 30-year-old man who reportedly tried to intervene. Brandenburg police said on social media that a male suspect had been detained “following an act of violence” and that forensic teams were securing the crime scene.

The suspect, reported to be 19 years old, is believed to be the former boyfriend of the 18-year-old victim, according to the news outlet Maz Online. Police have not yet confirmed whether the suspect was a student at the school or the nature of his relationship with the victim.

School managing director Michael Kunz confirmed that classes would be cancelled on Friday. “Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot and will not provide any information regarding the specific circumstances and sequence of events at this time,” he told local media.

While regular teaching will not take place, the school will remain open for students who wish to come in. “We want to provide them with a safe space where they can come together, talk to each other, and process what has happened,” Kunz said. He added that a “very careful” decision would be made in the coming days about how school life would be structured moving forward.

The incident is the latest in a series of violent episodes at German schools. In the previous month, a separate attack at a secondary school in southern Germany left two girls seriously wounded and led to the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect. That case raised renewed concerns about youth violence and school safety across the country.

Local authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation while the investigation continues. Police have not released further details about the sequence of events or the motive, and they have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The Brandenburg education ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims and offered psychological support to students and staff. “Our thoughts are with those affected by this terrible event,” a spokesperson said, adding that crisis intervention teams had been dispatched to the school.

Violence in German schools remains relatively rare, but the recent incidents have sparked debate about mental health support for young people and the need for early intervention in cases of domestic or relationship violence. Experts have pointed out that prevention measures, including counselling services, are crucial to addressing the root causes of such tragedies.

As the community of Gosen-Neu Zittau mourns, the focus remains on supporting the students and ensuring that the school can resume operations safely. Investigations are ongoing, and further information is expected to be released in the coming days.