School Stabbings in Germany: Debate on Lowering Age of Criminal Responsibility

Two School Stabbings in Germany Spark Debate on Age of Criminal Responsibility Berlin, Germany – In a disturbing turn of events, two separate incidents of school stabbings have rocked Germany, prompting a renewed debate on the age of criminal responsibility. On May 23rd, 2025, a 13-year-old boy stabbed his 12-year-old classmate during a sports lesson at a school in Spandau, Berlin. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries. Police launched a large-scale manhunt, eventually apprehending the suspect. "The search for the 13-year-old lasted hours, involving officers across the country," a police spokesperson stated. The same day, a similar incident unfolded in Remscheid, North Rhine-Westphalia, where an 11-year-old boy lightly injured a 13-year-old classmate with a knife. The motives behind both attacks remain unclear. The incidents have fueled public discussion about whether Germany should lower its age of criminal responsibility, currently set at 14. The 13-year-old in Berlin will not face prosecution due to his age. Both victims are reported to be in stable condition.