American tourists who intervened on a German streetcar to protect two women were attacked, and one, a 21-year-old named John Ruudatt, shared his thoughts on the “immigration issue” in Europe after his hospital release. In an interview on “Fox & Friends First,” he remarked that the events highlighted ongoing issues with immigration in Germany. He mentioned learning that one of the suspects, a Syrian asylum seeker with a police record, was arrested, then released, and subsequently re-arrested, while another suspect is still at large.
Ruudatt stated, “People have been telling me for years it’s only getting worse. Since the incident, I’ve had numerous people—mostly women—reach out, expressing their fears about safety on streetcars and in their own cities.” He reflected on the broader sense of unease affecting not just German citizens, but also tourists visiting the country.
According to a fundraiser set up by his brother’s girlfriend, the attack happened when two Syrians began harassing women on the streetcar. Ruudatt intervened, only to be stabbed in the face by one of the attackers wielding a six-inch blade, leaving him injured and with visible bandaging.
Though a 21-year-old Syrian suspect was arrested in connection to the stabbing, he was reportedly released soon after, leading to criticisms from Ruudatt regarding the handling of immigration policies in Europe. He expressed his sympathy for others affected and noted that the incident had a ripple effect on many people, both locals and visitors.
Recent updates indicate that authorities have re-arrested the suspect after more evidence surfaced. Ruudatt’s injuries were noticeable during his appearance on Fox News, but he mentioned feeling better post-discharge from the hospital.
He appreciated the overwhelming support from the local community and remarked that it greatly aided his recovery, even wishing for continued improvement in his condition. However, he also noted that his part-time modeling career is now on hold due to his injuries.
The US Embassy in Berlin also condemned the attack, stating that Ruudatt exhibited bravery while trying to protect others. “He was viciously attacked while courageously intervening,” they noted in a statement.
