German City Leader Seriously Wounded in Knife Assault, Authorities Report
A newly-elected mayor in western Germany has been attacked with a knife and suffered severe wounds close to her residence, authorities state.
The official, 57, is a affiliate of the centre-left Social Democratic party (SPD) and assumed the mayoral role of the municipality in the North-Rhine Westphalia state in September.
Area law enforcement say a major operation is under way in the small town. Investigators say every possibility is being checked, but they are not ruling out a domestic link.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned what he described as "a heinous act", adding: "We fear for the life of the mayor-elect, the victim, and wish for complete healing."
The SPD said its party members were deeply shocked by the incident.
Authorities say Stalzer's two adopted children - a daughter, 17, and a teenage boy - made an emergency call to authorities at midday local time (11:00 British time).
The children were later taken away for questioning and evidence collection. A reporter at the scene observed a teenager entering a law enforcement vehicle.
This summer, there was an incident of domestic violence in the household, which was documented by authorities, insiders revealed.
- Mayor attacked near home
- Severe injuries reported
- Probe focuses on domestic angles
- Children alerted authorities
