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By Daniel Orton
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A 21-year-old U.S. citizen was seriously injured in a knife attack on a tram in the German city of Dresden shortly after midnight Sunday after he intervened when two men reportedly harassed female passengers, German police said.
John Rudat, a paramedic and model from New York, was left with a "deep facial wound from a 6-inch blade, requiring immediate and extensive surgery," according to his brother's girlfriend, Molly Sheldon.
Photos shared by Sheldon on a GoFundMe page she set up to cover Rudat's medical expenses show the victim in hospital with a heavily bandaged and bloodied face.
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"We take seriously our commitment to provide all appropriate assistance to U.S. citizens abroad and are monitoring the situation," a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Newsweek.
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Why It Matters
The stabbing comes amid heightened concern in Germany over violent crimes involving knives and public safety. Last year, following two knife attacks attributed to migrants, the country launched a border crack down.
A recent analysis from The European Conservative news publication, citing official police data, reported a 17 percent increase in knife attacks in Germany during the first half of 2025.
What To Know
The incident occurred aboard tram line 7, near the Goldener Reiter stop in Dresden's city center. During the confrontation, one of the suspects attacked the American with a knife, causing multiple injuries to his face, according to German daily Bild, citing a police spokesperson. The Dresden police spokesperson said they were seeking witnesses.
Newsweek has reached out for further comment from the Dresden Police Department.
The attack happened at approximately 12:25 a.m. local time. According to Dresden police, two men began harassing female passengers on the tram. When the American passenger tried to intervene, he was assaulted.
One suspect—identified as a 21-year-old Syrian national—fled on an electric scooter and was apprehended roughly half a mile away from the scene. He was detained temporarily but later released.
"He was provisionally arrested and has been released by decision of the public prosecutor's office," police spokesman Thomas Geithner told Bild.
Authorities have not clarified the reason behind his release. According to the Bild report, the arrested suspect has a criminal record for violence and robbery.
The other suspect, believed to have inflicted the knife wounds, remains at large. The weapon has not been recovered. Investigators are reviewing tram surveillance footage and seeking eyewitness accounts from other passengers.
In videos shared on his Instagram page on Sunday, Rudat slammed his attackers and Germany's immigration system.
"If you didn't think Europe had an immigration problem, especially Germany, let me drop some knowledge on you," he said.
"He's an immigrant, an illegal one, a drug dealer, and very popularly known here, especially by the police. This is not the first time this has happened. It's not the first time that man has beaten up women, and it's not the first time that the other guy decided to take a swing at my face with a six-inch blade," Rudat continued.
"If they could do this to the people of Germany and then just get released 12 hours later—even less at this point—where is the law? Where is the structure?"
Photos from the crime scene published by Bild show blood on the tram's floor and tissues used by bystanders attempting to stanch the bleeding. A police spokesperson confirmed that both suspects are under investigation for grievous bodily harm.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Embassy in Berlin said in a statement: "We strongly condemn the brutal attack on an American citizen in Dresden. While courageously intervening to protect a fellow passenger, he was viciously attacked. We urge German authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and punish them to the fullest extent permitted by law. Safety is a collective responsibility—no one is safe until all are safe."
Molly Sheldon, the girlfriend of Rudat's brother, said: "This horrible act against John leaves us devastated and seeking justice. He now faces a challenging recovery; physically, emotionally, and even financially as he works to heal from this incident. We are all heartbroken but determined to support him through this ordeal."
What Happens Next
Dresden authorities are continuing their investigation, with a search underway for the second attacker.
Update, 08/26/2025, 5:52 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the U.S. State Department and additional information.
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