Note suggests Islamic extremist motive for attack on team bus

A note left at the scene suggests a possible Islamic extremist motive for the attack on Borussia Dortmund’s team bus, and one suspect has been detained, German prosecutors said Wednesday.

Frauke Koehler, a spokeswoman for federal prosecutors, said investigators are focusing on two suspected Islamic extremists and have searched their homes – but authorities said a range of other motives are possible for the Tuesday evening attack before a Champions League match. One of the Islamic suspects, a man, was arrested.

Investigators found three copies of the note at the scene, including demands for the withdrawal of German Tornado reconnaissance jets that are assisting the fight against the Islamic State group and for the closure of the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Koehler.

Federal prosecutors took over the case on the basis that a “terrorist background” is likely, but “the exact motive for the attack is still unclear,” Koehler said.

Because of the notes, “an Islamic extremist background to the attack appears possible.”

Three explosions went off near Dortmund’s bus as the team set off Tuesday evening from its hotel on the city’s outskirts for its Champions League quarterfinal match against Monaco.

They shattered a window of the bus – injuring Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Bartra, who underwent surgery for injuries to his wrist and arm. Police said an officer accompanying the bus on a motorbike was suffering from blast trauma and shock.

The devices used in the attack contained metal pins, one of which buried its way into a headrest on the bus, Koehler said. Investigators are still working to determine how the devices were detonated and what substance was used.

The match was called off shortly before kickoff and rescheduled for Wednesday evening.

It was held under increased security, and the club said fans wouldn’t be allowed into the stadium with backpacks.

Koehler said investigators are evaluating the credibility of the claim of responsibility. Tobias Plate, a spokesman for Germany’s interior ministry, noted that notes claiming responsibility at the scene haven’t been a feature of past Islamic extremist attacks.