Among the Jehovah’s Witnesses – rampage in Hamburg with several deaths – that is well known – News

    What happened? A shootout broke out on Thursday evening at Jehovah’s Witnesses in Hamburg’s Gross Borstel district. Several people were killed or injured by gunfire. An event by Jehovah’s Witnesses is said to have taken place in the event hall of the religious community at the time of the crime. A neighbor reported several shots fired at the event. “It was about four firing periods. During these periods, several shots were always fired, approximately 20 seconds to one minute apart,” reported student Lara Bauch. Later, people were carried out onto the street by police officers on their hands and feet.

Is there still danger? No. The streets at the site of the damage were first extensively cordoned off. The police asked road users to drive around the cordoned off area. After midnight, however, the police lifted the danger situation for the population. There is no evidence of a life-threatening situation for the people in the neighborhood around the crime scene. According to information from security circles, the police classified the crime as a rampage. The background was initially unclear about seven hours after the fact.

Legend:

Emergency services have been investigating the crime scene throughout the night.

Keystone/JONAS WALZBERG

How many people were killed and injured? According to the Hamburg police, eight people were fatally injured. This is what the police write on their website. Among the dead was “apparently the alleged perpetrator”. Other people were injured in the act, some seriously. The police did not give any more details.

What do you know about the perpetrators? According to the current status, the Hamburg police assume that a perpetrator may be among the dead. “There are indications that it could be the perpetrator. But it’s still unclear whether it was really the perpetrator,” the police said. There is no indication of another or a volatile perpetrator. In order to be able to rule out other perpetrators, checks would be carried out.

What are the reactions? «Bad news from #Hamburg. Several members of a Jehovah’s Church fell victim to a brutal act of violence last night Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) via the government account on Twitter. “My thoughts are with them and their families. And with the security forces, who have had a difficult mission. »

The Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves were “deeply affected”. “Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the victims and the traumatized eyewitnesses. The local church ministers are doing their best to assist them at this difficult time,” a statement on the community’s website said.

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) was “shaken”. And Hamburg too Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) expressed dismay. “My deepest condolences to the victims’ families,” he wrote on Twitter. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson spoke on Twitter of a “shocking act”. Her thoughts are with the victims and their families. At the same time, the Swede thanked the Hamburg police, who reacted “immediately with incredible courage”.

What’s next? The forensics team was at the scene of the crime throughout the night and the investigation into the bloody deed will continue on Friday. Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD) announced a press conference for noon, at which details of the crime and the status of the investigation should be announced.

Who are the Jehovah’s Witnesses?


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The Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian community with their own interpretation of the Bible. The followers believe in Jehovah as “almighty God and Creator” and are supposed to submit to strict regulations. They are convinced that a new world is at hand and that they will be saved as a chosen church. Jehovah’s Witnesses have around eight million members worldwide. The “world headquarters” is in New York. The German community with less than 200,000 members is one of the largest in Europe.

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