American Tourist Brutally Stabbed in Face After Defending Two Women in Germany

An American tourist is being praised as a hero after he was viciously stabbed in the face while protecting two women from an assault on a tram in Dresden, Germany.

The victim has been identified as 21-year-old John Rudat, a part-time model and newly certified paramedic from upstate New York. Rudat, who had been staying with his former exchange family during his visit, stepped in when he saw two women being harassed by a group of men.

According to a fundraiser created by his brother’s girlfriend, Molly, Rudat didn’t hesitate to intervene—but was quickly overpowered and attacked. He sustained severe knife wounds to his face and was rushed to the hospital.

Photos from the scene show blood on the tram floor and passengers desperately trying to stop the bleeding until medics arrived.

One suspect, a 21-year-old man from Syria, was arrested but later released due to “insufficient evidence,” prosecutors said. Another man is believed to have delivered the stabbing blow, though his identity has not been confirmed.

Rudat later shared a video from the hospital with his face heavily bandaged, condemning his attackers and questioning Europe’s handling of repeat violent offenders. He described the suspect as a known drug dealer and violent criminal already familiar to local police.

“If they can do this and then be released in less than 12 hours, where is the law? Where is the structure?” Rudat said, voicing frustration over what he called Germany’s immigration problem.

His brother Logan, 22, said the act of bravery came as no surprise.
“I would’ve been shocked if he hadn’t stepped in,” Logan said. “That’s just who he is. That’s how we were raised.”

The U.S. Embassy in Germany has urged local authorities to pursue justice quickly, saying in a statement:
“We call on German officials to hold the attackers accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Safety must be a shared responsibility.”

Back home in New York, Rudat’s family and community have rallied around him. Both he and his girlfriend Molly are well-known in the first responder community, and according to Logan, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming.