German Student Killed Trying to Protect Teen Girls From Harassers
A German student who was attacked after protecting two teen girls from a group of harassers died Friday from her injuries. Hundreds showed up to Sunday vigils for Tugce Albayrak in Berlin and outside the Offenbach hospital where she died. She was 23.
Two weeks ago, Albayrak intervened to defend two teenage girls from a group of men after she heard screams from a McDonald's bathroom in Offenbach. At least two of the men later confronted Albayrak in the parking lot.
An 18-year-old man, identified as "Sanel M.," has confessed to attacking her. Security camera footage shows the suspect breaking free of a friend who seems to be trying to hold him back, then apparently punching Albayrak and running away.
The blow knocked Albayrak to the ground, where she hit her head on a stone, causing traumatic brain injury and putting her in a coma. She was declared brain-dead Friday, her 23rd birthday, and her parents made the decision to take her off life support.
Sanel M. has been arrested and charged with manslaughter. Police are seeking the two young women from the bathroom as witnesses.
Meanwhile, 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for Albayrak to receive the Federal Order of Merit. German president Joachim Gauck has promised to consider giving her the award.
"Like countless citizens, I am shocked and appalled by this terrible act. Tugce has earned gratitude and respect from us all. She will always remain a role model to us, our entire country mourns with you," Gauck wrote Saturday in a letter to Albayrak's family.
