An American tourist visiting Germany is now recovering from serious injuries after stepping in to protect two women during a violent assault on a tram in Dresden. What began as a quiet ride early Sunday morning turned into a horrifying attack — one that left 21-year-old John Rudat, a newly certified paramedic from New York, stabbed in the face.
Rudat, who was staying with a former host family during his visit, found himself in a situation no traveler expects. According to social media posts and a fundraiser organized by his brother’s girlfriend, he witnessed two women being harassed by two men on the tram. What he did next, many are calling heroic: he stood up.
But his act of bravery came at a steep cost.
The men turned on Rudat. First, he was beaten. Then, one of the suspects reportedly returned and stabbed him in the face with what authorities described as a “dangerous object.” The tram’s floor was left covered in blood and tissues as passengers tried to help. Photos from the scene show the aftermath — shocking, graphic, and unforgettable.
Syrian migrant accused of slashing hero American model John Rudat was previously let go by cops before being busted for gruesome attack
Police in Germany have arrested a 21-year-old Syrian national, and accused him of slashing hero American model John Rudat across the face after… pic.twitter.com/41NPGyKdlI
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Local police later identified one of the alleged attackers as a 21-year-old Syrian national named Majid A., a known figure in the area with a history of drug dealing and previous run-ins with law enforcement. He was initially arrested, then released due to what police called “a lack of evidence.” That decision drew swift public backlash.
Syrian migrant smirks after arrest for brutal attack on American model John Rudat https://t.co/9hD4XHpXLC pic.twitter.com/xStYhoUyby
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By Tuesday, however, the story shifted again.
New evidence came to light, prompting authorities to re-arrest the suspect. This time, he was brought before a judge and formally remanded into custody. German news outlets shared images of him in court, smirking while wearing sweatpants labeled “Hoodrich” and a hoodie — a detail that only fueled outrage online.
Police now say Majid A. is under strong suspicion of participating directly in the stabbing. According to their latest statement, new investigation results show he may have been the one who used the weapon to injure Rudat.
Rudat has stated that the attacker is a well-known figure in the local underworld. He claims the man has a record of harassing women and was already on law enforcement’s radar. That information raises questions about why someone like this was still on the streets — and how a young tourist ended up paying the price.
‘My main priority was the safety of the woman.’
American model John Rudat speaks out after being attacked by a migrant while defending a woman on a tram in Dresden.
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The case is shining a harsh light on broader tensions in Germany around migrant crime, policing, and public safety. It has triggered widespread debate across social media and political circles, especially given that Rudat’s attacker had reportedly been involved in similar incidents before.
The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected in the coming days. But for now, many are focused on the bravery of one young man from New York who chose to step in — and the serious consequences he’s facing because of it.
