New York Model attacked while protecting two women from knifeman on vacation in Germany

27-Aug-2025

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A New York City male model who stepped in to protect two women from a knife wielding assailant was attacked while vacationing in Germany.  

After trying to stop two victims from being violently assaulted on German public transit in the city of Dresden on August 24 John Rudat, 21, was left bloodied and battered, according to a GoFundMe created by his brother's girlfriend, Molly Sheldon. 

The young model, who is also a paramedic, sustained a critical gash in the middle of his face from a six-inch blade. 

Horrifying footage from the incident's aftermath shows Rudat with a tissue to his face with a trail of blood splatters leading to where he was sitting. 

Another clip reveals a deep slash across his nose, while other passengers appeared shell-shocked after witnessing the gory ordeal. 

Rudat needed immediate medical attention and underwent extensive surgery in Germany.  

There were two attackers and they were both reportedly Syrian nationals, Law enforcement officials said. 

One of the men was detained after the violent incident on suspicion of beating Rudat, but was released shortly after. 

'According to the on-call public prosecutor’s assessment, there were insufficient grounds for detention. The knife attack cannot be attributed to him,' Senior Public Prosecutor Jurgen Schmidt told German outlet Bild.

The other suspect, who is believed to have actually stabbed Rudat, is still at large. 

Sheldon wrote, ‘This horrible act against John leaves us devastated and seeking justice. He now faces a challenging recovery; physically, emotionally, and even financially as he works to heal from this incident'. 

So far, the fundraiser created to support Rudat and his family has collected more than $32,500. 

Rudat was visiting Dresden to see his former foreign exchange host family, according to The New York Post. 

Rudat claimed the migrant who attacked him and the two women was a drug dealer 'very popularly known' in the area, in a video retelling of the shocking attack. 

When his loved ones received the gut-wrenching call that he had been involved in the harrowing incident, they feared for the worst. 

'We got a little scared when we found out,' Sheldon said.  

'We were unaware of the extent of his injuries. We were at dinner the other day and he called saying, "Hey, I’ve been in an incident, I'm OK, just if you can notify my parents because they weren’t answering the phone."'

He was not surprised that his brother put himself at risk to protect others, Rudat's brother and Sheldon's boyfriend, Logan said.  

' Logan, who is also a first responder, told the outlet 'It’' part of his character, that’s just the way we were raised. 

He is optimistic that Rudat will be able to return to the US in a week or two, said Logan. 

'Never turn your back on abuse.'  

While reflecting on the incident on his Instagram story, Rudat wrote.