German police say 26-year-old man has turned himself in, claiming to be behind knife attack

Düsseldorf police said in a joint statement with the prosecutor’s office that the man “stated that he was responsible for the attack,” adding he had been arrested before, but didn’t provide details. “This person’s involvement in the crime is currently being intensively investigated,” the statement said.

On Saturday the Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the attack, without providing evidence.

The extremist group said on its news site that the attacker targeted Christians and that he carried out the assaults Friday night “to avenge Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.”

Officials had earlier said that they arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion he knew about the planned attack and failed to inform authorities, but that he was not the attacker.

Two female witnesses told police they overheard the boy and an unknown person before the attack speaking about intentions that corresponded to the bloodshed, officials said