New suspect sought in Berlin Christmas market attack after refugee documents discovered

Authorities in Berlin say they are searching for another suspect in the Christmas market attack that left 12 dead after releasing a different man they had captured soon after the horror unfolded.

The new suspect has been identified only as Anis A., according to the German magazine Spiegel, and became the focus of the massive manhunt after refugee documents with his name were discovered by police in the truck used in the attack.

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He was identified from a document relating to asylum that was found in the cabin of the truck, Spiegel and Allgemeine Zeitung reported. The document said Anis A. was born in Tataouine, Tunisia, in 1992, according to media reports.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that he applied for asylum in April and received a temporary residence permit.

Police say they have received more than 500 tips in the investigation.

Chancellor Angela Merkel is already responding to the likelihood that the attack was a terrorist strike by one of the asylum-seekers that she so enthusiastically encouraged into Germany. Her popularity has taken a beating as refugees flooded into Germany, bringing crime and taxing the social support network, and spilling over into the rest of Europe. Now she has another possible terror attack on her hands.