An American tourist, John Rudat, 21, suffered serious facial injuries early Sunday, August 24, 2025, after intervening to protect two women from harassment onboard a tram in Dresden.
The incident occurred around 12:25 a.m. at the Neustädter Markt (Goldener Reiter) stop on Tram Line 7.
Rudat, a paramedic trainee and part-time model from New York visiting his former exchange host family, was slashed with a roughly six-inch blade, leaving a deep wound that required extensive surgery.
He later revealed that the blade severed his nose and part of his lip, nearly gouging his eye; he now says he’ll wear the resulting scar with pride.
Authorities detained a 21-year-old Syrian man, identified as Majd A., shortly after the attack, apparently fleeing the scene on a rented scooter.
Majd, who reportedly has past convictions for robbery, bodily harm, and illegal entry, was briefly held—but released later the same day due to insufficient evidence, according to prosecutor Jürgen Schmidt.
Surveillance footage has since reportedly emerged showing Majd punching Rudat while another suspect wielded the knife. Investigators remain in pursuit of this second suspect.
Police have appealed to witnesses and are reviewing tram CCTV footage as part of their ongoing investigation.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Rudat’s family has raised over US $45,000, nearing its $70,000 goal, to support his recovery, including medical and emotional needs.
The U.S. Embassy in Berlin condemned the attack and urged German authorities to bring the attackers to justice, demanding punishment “to the fullest extent permitted by law.”
Public and political responses, including from U.S. envoy Richard Grenell, criticized Germany’s handling of such assaults and its immigration policies.