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Merkel says racism a ‘poison’ Germany must face as 10 killed in far-right shooting Merkel says racism a ‘poison’ Germany must face as 10 killed in far-right shooting
(32 minutes later)
BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday said Germany must overcome the "poison" of racism after a gunman killed 10 people in attacks linked to far-right extremism.BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday said Germany must overcome the "poison" of racism after a gunman killed 10 people in attacks linked to far-right extremism.
In a televised speech, Merkel said that while it is too early for a final assessment of Wednesday night's shooting in the town of Hanau, around 15 miles east of Frankfurt, there were many indications that the perpetrator acted with right-wing extremist, racist motives.In a televised speech, Merkel said that while it is too early for a final assessment of Wednesday night's shooting in the town of Hanau, around 15 miles east of Frankfurt, there were many indications that the perpetrator acted with right-wing extremist, racist motives.
It was around 10 p.m. that the perpetrator, who authorities said was a licensed gun-holder, opened fire on patrons at "Midnight" — a hookah bar in central Hanau.It was around 10 p.m. that the perpetrator, who authorities said was a licensed gun-holder, opened fire on patrons at "Midnight" — a hookah bar in central Hanau.
Police said the suspect sped off in a dark vehicle, before opening fire at a second venue, Arena Bar and Cafe. Such lounges and cafes, where customers gather to smoke waterpipes, also known as hookahs, are popular with Germans of Middle Eastern origin. Police said the suspect sped off in a dark vehicle, before opening fire at a second venue, Arena Bar and Cafe. Such lounges and cafes, where customers gather to smoke waterpipes, also known as hookahs, are popular with Germans of Middle Eastern origin. Nine people were killed at the two establishments, police said.
The events unfolded with echoes of what has become grimly familiar. Not long afterward, authorities said that the suspect had been found dead in his home along with the body of his mother. Reports then emerged of a video and documents posted online. Not long after, authorities said the suspect has been found dead in his home along with the body of his mother. The events unfolded with echoes of what has become grimly familiar. Not long afterward, authorities said that the suspect had been found dead in his home along with the body of his mother. Reports then emerged of a video and documents posted online.
At least eight killed in mass shooting in Germany; suspect found dead at home, police sayAt least eight killed in mass shooting in Germany; suspect found dead at home, police say
German police have stepped up their monitoring of far-right groups since an attack on a synagogue in Halle in October, adding hundreds of officers to track fringe extremists. When the gunman in that shooting failed to get through the door to the synagogue, he turned his homemade weapon on passersby and opened fire at a nearby kebab shop in an attack he live-streamed.German police have stepped up their monitoring of far-right groups since an attack on a synagogue in Halle in October, adding hundreds of officers to track fringe extremists. When the gunman in that shooting failed to get through the door to the synagogue, he turned his homemade weapon on passersby and opened fire at a nearby kebab shop in an attack he live-streamed.
Earlier this week, German police they arrested 12 members of a far-right group planning attacks on mosques and targets associated with refugees and asylum seekers, drawing inspiration from last year’s mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, that killed more than 50 people.Earlier this week, German police they arrested 12 members of a far-right group planning attacks on mosques and targets associated with refugees and asylum seekers, drawing inspiration from last year’s mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, that killed more than 50 people.
"Racism is a poison, hate is a poison," Merkel said. "This poison exists in our society and it's at fault for too many tragic events.""Racism is a poison, hate is a poison," Merkel said. "This poison exists in our society and it's at fault for too many tragic events."
Germany is facing efforts to "split the country" she said, adding that her thoughts were with the families of the victims. "We do not differentiate citizens by origin or religion."Germany is facing efforts to "split the country" she said, adding that her thoughts were with the families of the victims. "We do not differentiate citizens by origin or religion."
Germany's federal prosector said Thursday that a "xenophobic" motive is suspected the overnight shootings.Germany's federal prosector said Thursday that a "xenophobic" motive is suspected the overnight shootings.
After the body of the suspected attacker was found in his home, police said there were "no indications of further perpetrators."After the body of the suspected attacker was found in his home, police said there were "no indications of further perpetrators."
Peter Beuth, the regional interior minister, told reporters that prosectors have classified the incident as a "suspected terroristic act of violence."Peter Beuth, the regional interior minister, told reporters that prosectors have classified the incident as a "suspected terroristic act of violence."
Police and prosecutors said they could not comment on reports that the shooter left behind documents and video that indicated a confused, extreme-right, anti-immigrant ideology.Police and prosecutors said they could not comment on reports that the shooter left behind documents and video that indicated a confused, extreme-right, anti-immigrant ideology.
“Not everyone who has a German passport is purebred and valuable,” read one document purported to have been written by the suspect that was shared by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College London, which said it had confirmed its authenticity. “Not everyone who has a German passport is purebred and valuable,” read one document purported to have been written by the suspect that was shared by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College London, which said it had confirmed its authenticity. “I can imagine cutting the population in half.”
The German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) said some of the victims had migrant backgrounds.The German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) said some of the victims had migrant backgrounds.
Police swarmed the town of just under 100,000 people on Wednesday night as the shooting unfolded, while helicopters circled. Authorities said they were initially searching for “unknown perpetrators” and appealed for witnesses to come forward. Police swarmed the town of just under 100,000 people on Wednesday night as the shooting unfolded, while helicopters circled. Authorities said they were initially searching for “unknown perpetrators” and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Three people were shot dead at “Midnight,” according to local broadcaster Hessenschau reported, adding that a total of eight or nine shots were fired. Germany’s Bild newspaper reported that Kurdish immigrants were among those killed. Three people were shot dead at “Midnight,” according to local broadcaster Hessenschau reported, adding that a total of eight or nine shots were fired. Germany’s Bild newspaper reported that Kurdish immigrants were among those killed.
Shortly thereafter, five people were fatally shot in the Kesselstadt area just west of the town center, it said. Images from the scene showed police cordons and an ambulance outside the Arena Bar and Cafe. Behind the red police tape, at least one car was visible, covered in thermal foil with its windows shattered.Shortly thereafter, five people were fatally shot in the Kesselstadt area just west of the town center, it said. Images from the scene showed police cordons and an ambulance outside the Arena Bar and Cafe. Behind the red police tape, at least one car was visible, covered in thermal foil with its windows shattered.
Katja Leikert, who represents the Hanau district in Germany’s national parliament, the Bundestag, called the shooting a “horrific scenario.”Katja Leikert, who represents the Hanau district in Germany’s national parliament, the Bundestag, called the shooting a “horrific scenario.”
In dieser fürchterlichen Nacht in #Hanau wünsche ich den Angehörigen der Getöteten viel Kraft und herzliches Beileid. Den Verletzten eine hoffentlich schnelle Genesung. Es ist ein echtes Horrorszenario für uns alle.Danke an alle Einsatzkräfte!!In dieser fürchterlichen Nacht in #Hanau wünsche ich den Angehörigen der Getöteten viel Kraft und herzliches Beileid. Den Verletzten eine hoffentlich schnelle Genesung. Es ist ein echtes Horrorszenario für uns alle.Danke an alle Einsatzkräfte!!
“On this terrible night in Hanau I send those close to the victims all my strength and heartfelt condolences,” she said on Twitter. “Hopefully the injured recover swiftly. It is a horrific scenario for us all. Thanks to emergency services.”“On this terrible night in Hanau I send those close to the victims all my strength and heartfelt condolences,” she said on Twitter. “Hopefully the injured recover swiftly. It is a horrific scenario for us all. Thanks to emergency services.”
Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky told the Bild newspaper that it was “barely possible to imagine a worse evening.”Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky told the Bild newspaper that it was “barely possible to imagine a worse evening.”
“This was a terrible evening,” he said, “that I am sure we will be dealing with and remembering with sadness for a long, long time.”“This was a terrible evening,” he said, “that I am sure we will be dealing with and remembering with sadness for a long, long time.”
Reis Thebault in Washington and Luisa Beck in Berlin contributed to this report.Reis Thebault in Washington and Luisa Beck in Berlin contributed to this report.
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