A 25-year-old transgender man has died of his injuries in hospital almost a week after he was assaulted while helping people at a Pride parade in western Germany, police have said. The man, who police have named only as Malte C in accordance with privacy conventions, intervened when the attacker aimed homophobic slurs at other participants during the Christopher Street Day parade in Münster, police said. The assailant hit Malte twice in the face. He fell to the floor, struck his head and never regained consciousness. Police said on Friday they had detained a 20-year-old man who they suspected of being the attacker. They were able to arrest a suspect at the city’s main train station Friday after identifying him based on photos and videos provided by witnesses, they added. Prosecutors said they will ask a judge on Saturday to order the man to be kept in investigative detention on suspicion of bodily harm resulting in death. Politicians and civic groups reacted with shock. “This terrible event shows that we still have more to do to push for equality and acceptance for people of different sexual orientations,” said the city’s mayor, Markus Lewe, according to broadcaster WDR. A memorial ceremony was scheduled to be held in the city on Friday evening. The Roman Catholic bishop of Münster Felix Genn described the attack as a “barbaric … insane act”. “My thoughts and prayers are with the deceased, his family and all who are grieving. But we must not stop at the shock and sadness. We must speak out loud against anyone who does not tolerate, abuse, verbally or physically attack others because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, skin colour or religion. Intolerance, exclusion and hatred must have no place in our society,” he said in a statement. The German government’s queer commissioner, Sven Lehmann, said he was stunned by the news. “Malte has died following a hate attack at the CSD Münster,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’m stunned and sad. My condolences and deep sympathy go to his family and friends. Violence against queer people is a threat that we must all stand up to.”