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Germany gun attacks: At least two killed in Halle shootings | Germany gun attacks: At least two killed in Halle shootings |
(about 3 hours later) | |
At least two people have been killed and two others injured in gun attacks in the east German city of Halle. | |
It is thought one suspect, who has been arrested, killed a man at a kebab shop and a woman near a synagogue. | |
Witnesses inside the synagogue say the gunman tried to force his way through the door, where dozens were inside observing Yom Kippur on Wednesday. | |
Videos from the scene appear to show the suspect wore military-type clothing and used several weapons in the attack. | |
It also appears he wore a camera and streamed the attack online, according to the Site Intelligence extremist monitoring group. | |
A lockdown of the area has been lifted, following earlier fears that others were involved and had fled. | |
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has described the attack as anti-Semitic. | |
"According to the federal prosecutor there are sufficient indications for a possible right-wing extremist motive," he said. | |
What do we know about the attacks? | What do we know about the attacks? |
The attacks happened at about 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Wednesday. | |
One man was killed in a Turkish kebab shop and a female victim reportedly died on a street close to a Jewish cemetery and synagogue. | |
Police say the suspect was arrested after fleeing the scene, but their identity has not yet been released. | |
Two people with gun wounds are having surgery at Halle's university hospital, a spokesman told AFP news agency. | |
Max Privorotzki, leader of the local Jewish community, told media that a camera outside the synagogue showed a gunman with a helmet and rifle trying to get into the compound. At least 70 people were inside at the time. | |
One witness said the attacker was "dressed like a policeman... fully armed" and had thrown a petrol bomb or grenade over a cemetery wall. | |
The violence came as Jews celebrated Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day. | The violence came as Jews celebrated Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day. |
A witness at the kebab shop told German N-tv news that a gunman in camouflage had 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 told a TV reporter near the scene. | |
Shane Smith, a tourist from New Zealand, heard six loud shots from the flat where he was staying, he told the BBC. | Shane Smith, a tourist from New Zealand, heard six loud shots from the flat where he was staying, he told the BBC. |
He later witnessed a vehicle speeding up a local road, pursued by a police car with a damaged window. | He later witnessed a vehicle speeding up a local road, pursued by a police car with a damaged window. |
Security was boosted at other German synagogues news of the attack, local media reported. | |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her condolences and "solidarity for all Jews on the holy day of Yom Kippur". | |
A minute's silence was held for the victims in the European Parliament in Brussels. | A minute's silence was held for the victims in the European Parliament in Brussels. |
"Together with you, I would like to express my sympathies to the German police forces, the German people and the German Jewish community," European Parliament President David Sassoli said, leading the tribute. | "Together with you, I would like to express my sympathies to the German police forces, the German people and the German Jewish community," European Parliament President David Sassoli said, leading the tribute. |
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: |