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Germany shooting: Gunman kills two after attacking synagogue | Germany shooting: Gunman kills two after attacking synagogue |
(32 minutes later) | |
A gunman has killed two people in eastern Germany after attempting to enter a synagogue where dozens were observing a Jewish holiday. | A gunman has killed two people in eastern Germany after attempting to enter a synagogue where dozens were observing a Jewish holiday. |
The suspect broadcast the attack on a popular live-streaming platform before being arrested. | The suspect broadcast the attack on a popular live-streaming platform before being arrested. |
The video, which has now been removed, showed him making anti-Semitic comments to camera before driving to a synagogue in Halle and shooting at its door. | |
After failing to get in, the gunman shot dead two people nearby. | After failing to get in, the gunman shot dead two people nearby. |
The suspect is a 27-year-old German who acted alone, according to local media. | The suspect is a 27-year-old German who acted alone, according to local media. |
"According to the federal prosecutor there are sufficient indications for a possible right-wing extremist motive," German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said. | "According to the federal prosecutor there are sufficient indications for a possible right-wing extremist motive," German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said. |
Videos from the scene appear to show the suspect wearing military-type clothing and using several weapons in the attack. | Videos from the scene appear to show the suspect wearing military-type clothing and using several weapons in the attack. |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a memorial vigil for the victims at Berlin's main synagogue. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a memorial vigil for the victims at Berlin's main synagogue. |
How did the attack unfold? | How did the attack unfold? |
The attack happened in the city of Halle at about 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Wednesday. | The attack happened in the city of Halle at about 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Wednesday. |
The attempted attack on the synagogue was captured on a surveillance camera, said Max Privorotzki, leader of the local Jewish community. | |
"We saw via the camera system at our synagogue that a heavily armed perpetrator with a steel helmet and a gun tried to shoot open our doors," he told the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper. | "We saw via the camera system at our synagogue that a heavily armed perpetrator with a steel helmet and a gun tried to shoot open our doors," he told the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper. |
"The man looked as though he was from the special forces... But our doors held." | "The man looked as though he was from the special forces... But our doors held." |
Mr Privorotzki said about 70 or 80 people were inside at the time. | Mr Privorotzki said about 70 or 80 people were inside at the time. |
After apparently becoming frustrated at failing to get in, the suspect then allegedly shot into the street and killed a woman close to the synagogue, before killing a man in a local kebab shop. | After apparently becoming frustrated at failing to get in, the suspect then allegedly shot into the street and killed a woman close to the synagogue, before killing a man in a local kebab shop. |
A witness at the shop told German N-tv news the gunman had been wearing camouflage when he opened fire on the venue. | |
"The man came up to the doner shop, he threw something like a grenade, it didn't explode, and he opened fire with an assault rifle. I hid in the toilet," the witness said. | "The man came up to the doner shop, he threw something like a grenade, it didn't explode, and he opened fire with an assault rifle. I hid in the toilet," the witness said. |
Two people with gun wounds have had surgery at the city's university hospital, a spokesman told AFP news agency. | Two people with gun wounds have had surgery at the city's university hospital, a spokesman told AFP news agency. |
What is known about the suspect? | What is known about the suspect? |
Police say the man was arrested after fleeing the scene. He has not been officially named but local media suggest he is a 27-year-old German. | Police say the man was arrested after fleeing the scene. He has not been officially named but local media suggest he is a 27-year-old German. |
Initial reports suggested other people may have been involved, but a local police lockdown has now been lifted. | Initial reports suggested other people may have been involved, but a local police lockdown has now been lifted. |
Streaming platform Twitch, which is owned by Amazon and is popular among game streamers, has confirmed the suspect broadcast the attack on their website. | Streaming platform Twitch, which is owned by Amazon and is popular among game streamers, has confirmed the suspect broadcast the attack on their website. |
"We worked with urgency to remove this content and will permanently suspend any accounts found to be posting or reposting content of this abhorrent act," a spokeswoman told Reuters news agency. | |
The video the suspect posted showed him making misogynistic and anti-Semitic statements to the camera - including denying the Holocaust. | The video the suspect posted showed him making misogynistic and anti-Semitic statements to the camera - including denying the Holocaust. |
The attack came as Jews observed Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day. | The attack came as Jews observed Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day. |
"That on the Day of Atonement a synagogue was shot at hits us in the heart," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas posted on Twitter. "We must all act against anti-Semitism in our country." | "That on the Day of Atonement a synagogue was shot at hits us in the heart," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas posted on Twitter. "We must all act against anti-Semitism in our country." |
Security was boosted at other German synagogues following news of the attack and vigils were held on Wednesday evening. | Security was boosted at other German synagogues following news of the attack and vigils were held on Wednesday evening. |
A spokesman said Angela Merkel condemned the shooting and offered her solidarity "for all Jews on the holy day of Yom Kippur". | A spokesman said Angela Merkel condemned the shooting and offered her solidarity "for all Jews on the holy day of Yom Kippur". |
A minute's silence was earlier held for the victims in the European Parliament in Brussels. | A minute's silence was earlier held for the victims in the European Parliament in Brussels. |
The EU's President, Jean Claude Juncker, has also condemned the attack. | The EU's President, Jean Claude Juncker, has also condemned the attack. |
"I am shocked by the brutal attacks in Halle - on this day, Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism," he posted on Twitter. "My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims." | "I am shocked by the brutal attacks in Halle - on this day, Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism," he posted on Twitter. "My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims." |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the shooting as a "terror attack" and warned anti-Semitism was on the rise in Europe. | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the shooting as a "terror attack" and warned anti-Semitism was on the rise in Europe. |
"I urge German authorities to continue to act resolutely against the phenomenon of anti-Semitism," Mr Netanyahu tweeted. | "I urge German authorities to continue to act resolutely against the phenomenon of anti-Semitism," Mr Netanyahu tweeted. |
Are you in the area? Did you witness what happened? If it is safe to do so email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? Did you witness what happened? If it is safe to do so email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |