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Germany shooting: 'Far-right extremist' carried out shisha bars attacks | Germany shooting: 'Far-right extremist' carried out shisha bars attacks |
(32 minutes later) | |
A suspected far-right extremist carried out the attacks on two shisha bars in western Germany, killing at least nine people, officials say. | A suspected far-right extremist carried out the attacks on two shisha bars in western Germany, killing at least nine people, officials say. |
Chancellor Angela Merkel said there were many signs the attacker in the city of Hanau had acted out of racism. | |
Federal prosecutors are treating the case as terrorism. Some of those killed were believed to be of Turkish origin. | |
The 43-year-old suspect killed himself, police say. He was found dead at his home along with the body of his mother. | The 43-year-old suspect killed himself, police say. He was found dead at his home along with the body of his mother. |
The Bild tabloid reports the suspect was a German citizen with a firearms licence, and that ammunition and gun magazines were found in his car. | The Bild tabloid reports the suspect was a German citizen with a firearms licence, and that ammunition and gun magazines were found in his car. |
Authorities are examining a video that the suspect may have posted online days before the attacks in which he expresses right-wing conspiracy theories. Bild said he had also left a letter of confession. | Authorities are examining a video that the suspect may have posted online days before the attacks in which he expresses right-wing conspiracy theories. Bild said he had also left a letter of confession. |
The attack comes amid growing concerns about far-right violence in Germany. Speaking in Berlin, Mrs Merkel said: "Racism is a poison. Hate is poison. And this poison exists in our society and it is to blame for too many crimes." | |
What do we know about the attacks? | What do we know about the attacks? |
The shootings took place around 22:00 (21:00 GMT) on Wednesday, and the first target was the Midnight shisha bar in the city centre of Hanau. Witnesses reported hearing about a dozen gunshots. | The shootings took place around 22:00 (21:00 GMT) on Wednesday, and the first target was the Midnight shisha bar in the city centre of Hanau. Witnesses reported hearing about a dozen gunshots. |
The suspect then reportedly travelled in a dark car to the Kesselstadt neighbourhood and opened fire at the Arena Bar & Cafe. | The suspect then reportedly travelled in a dark car to the Kesselstadt neighbourhood and opened fire at the Arena Bar & Cafe. |
Shisha bars are places where people gather to smoke a pipe known as shisha or hookah. Traditionally found in Middle Eastern and Asian countries they are also popular in many other parts of the world. | Shisha bars are places where people gather to smoke a pipe known as shisha or hookah. Traditionally found in Middle Eastern and Asian countries they are also popular in many other parts of the world. |
Some of those killed were of Turkish origin, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted. Calling for a full German investigation, he said: "Racism is a collective cancer." | |
The shootings sparked a seven-hour manhunt, while officers searched for what they thought could have been more than one attacker. Police identified the gunman through information from witnesses and surveillance cameras. | |
Early on Thursday, they stormed the suspect's home, near the scene of the second shooting, where he was found dead near his 72-year-old mother. | |
Can-Luca Frisenna, whose father and brother run one of the two bars attacked, told Reuters news agency: "I heard my father was affected and my little brother... I saw them both - they were horrified and they were crying and everything. So everyone was shocked." | |
Hanau, in Hesse state, is a city of 100,000 residents about 25km (15 miles) east of Frankfurt. | |
Hesse Interior Minister Peter Beuth said authorities were also examining a website attributed to the suspect. "What we know so far is that there is definitely a xenophobic motive. Whether there are claims of responsibility or documents, that's still being investigated," he said. | Hesse Interior Minister Peter Beuth said authorities were also examining a website attributed to the suspect. "What we know so far is that there is definitely a xenophobic motive. Whether there are claims of responsibility or documents, that's still being investigated," he said. |
Mrs Merkel also vowed to do everything possible to clarify the background to the attack, saying: "There are many indications at the moment that the perpetrator acted on right-wing extremist, racist motives, out of hatred towards people of other origins, religion or appearance." | |
Gun laws in Germany are among the most stringent in the world, and were tightened further in recent years after other mass shootings. | Gun laws in Germany are among the most stringent in the world, and were tightened further in recent years after other mass shootings. |
Recent far-right attacks in Germany | Recent far-right attacks in Germany |
What has the reaction been? | What has the reaction been? |
Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky told Bild it had been a "terrible night", adding: "You could not imagine a worse night. It will of course keep us busy for a long, long time and remain a sad memory. I'm deeply moved." | Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky told Bild it had been a "terrible night", adding: "You could not imagine a worse night. It will of course keep us busy for a long, long time and remain a sad memory. I'm deeply moved." |
Katja Leikert, who represents Hanau in the German parliament, the Bundestag, said: "Hopefully the injured recover swiftly. It is a horrific scenario for us all." | Katja Leikert, who represents Hanau in the German parliament, the Bundestag, said: "Hopefully the injured recover swiftly. It is a horrific scenario for us all." |
In other reaction: | In other reaction: |
Were you in the area? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Were you in the area? Share your experiences by emailing 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 |