German Christmas market: At least 2 dead, driver of car in custody

Eight years ago, almost to the day, a driver in Berlin plowed a truck through a Christmas market in the country's capital.

Twelve people were killed and 48 others were injured in the incident on Dec. 19, 2016.

Officials at the time said the driver acted deliberately and said the incident appeared to be a terrorist attack. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the attack.

The suspect was killed days later in a shoot-out with police in Milan.

Officials have not given any information about a motive or cause for tonight's incident.

The Chicago Police Department said it is aware of and monitoring the incident in Germany after it was asked about increased security at the city's German-style Christmas market, Christkindlmarket.

"While there is no actionable intelligence at this time, CPD has a special attention on the Christkindlmarket," the police department said in a statement.

The suspected perpetrator has been described as a 50-year-old man from Saudi Arabia who came to Germany for the first time in 2006, Tamara Zieschang, state interior minister of Saxony-Anhalt, said at a news conference.

He has been arrested but his identity has not been released.

Zieschang said the man had a settlement permit and thus an indefinite residence permit. Most recently, he worked as a doctor in Bernburg, which is also in the state of Saxony-Anhalt and about a 30 minute drive from Magdeburg.

The man acted alone, Zieschang said, adding that there is no information about other perpetrators.

"This is one of the darkest days for Saxony-Anhalt and for Magdeburg," Zieschang said, adding, "We have two fatalities to mourn and a large number of injured."

Scholz said he wanted to go to the scene of the incident and talk with people there, Reiner Haseloff, the Saxony-Anhalt State premier, said at a news briefing.

Haseloff said the chancellor called about him an hour ago to offer his condolences and said he would visit Magdeburg tomorrow.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of a difficult time ahead.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” Scholz said in a post on X. “We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours.”

Germany’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck lamented the incident calling it “terrible news” in a post on X.

In light of the events in Germany, the NYPD said it is coordinating with federal and international partners and is amping up security at Christmas markets in the city.

Police said in a statement it has not identified any specific or credible threats to New York City, but it has deployed patrols to "various Christmas markets and other locations" in New York City "out of an abundance of caution."

A White House official released the following statement to NBC News: "The White House is closely monitoring this situation and US officials are in touch with their German counterparts to offer support. Our condolences go out to the victims and their families, and our thoughts are with the German people during this difficult time."

At least two people were killed, and more than 60 were injured when a car plowed through a crowded Christmas market in eastern Germany on Friday. The suspected driver, identified as a doctor from Saudi Arabia who lived in Germany, was detained, according to a local official.

The suspect acted alone, and there was no ongoing threat to the public. The official did not rule out additional deaths due to the severity of some of the injuries, according to the news outlet.

The victims include one adult and one child, the official said.

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