German Christmas market attack suspect in custody under murder charges

The man suspected of driving a car through crowds at a German Christmas market is in custody on murder charges, police said Sunday.

On Friday, Taleb Al Abdulmohsen, a resident of Germany originally from Saudi Arabia, allegedly rammed a car into a busy holiday market in the German city of Magdeburg.

Five people were killed, including a young boy, and more than 200 people were injured.

The suspect is a 50-year-old psychiatrist and has a history of anti-Islamic rhetoric, Reuters reported.

While the motive for the attack remains unclear, police are being criticized for the warning signs he expressed online.

On social media, the suspect has been a critic of Islam and prosecutors argue he was critical of how Germany treated Saudi refugees, CNN reported.

Police said in a statement early Sunday that they had an arrest warrant for murder and multiple attempted murder.

“The judge ordered pre-trial detention for five counts of murder, multiple attempted murder and multiple counts of dangerous bodily harm,” German police said.

Police confirmed that a 9-year-old boy and four women were killed in the attack.

President Biden issued his condolences for the attack, noting that no community and no family should “have to endure such a despicable and dark event” particularly during the holiday season.