World
Two dead after gunman targets German synagogue on Yom Kippur
Gunman reportedly tried to storm shul, where a service was taking place
October 9, 2019 17:11
Gunman reportedly tried to storm shul, where a service was taking place
October 9, 2019 17:11Two people have been killed and two injured after a gunman targeted a synagogue in the German city of Halle during Yom Kippur.
Max Privorotzki, the head of the city’s Jewish community, told Der Spiegel that an assailant dressed in military gear attempted to storm a synagogue, but was repelled by security staff.
Local police confirmed that shots had been fired in the north of Halle at around midday, when Yom Kippur services were taking place.
A woman was killed near the synagogue and a man was killed at a nearby kebab shop that was also targeted.
Mr Privorotzki said that between 70 and 80 people were inside the synagogue at the time of the shooting, observing the holiest day of the year for Jews.
One suspect has been arrested, but police gave no further details.
It had previously been reported that other suspects had fled the area in a vehicle.
The Site Intelligence extremist monitoring group said the attacker wore military-style clothing and a body camera to stream the attack online.
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said the attack was antisemitic.
"According to the federal prosecutor there are sufficient indications for a possible right-wing extremist motive," he said.
One witness said that the attacker was “dressed like a policeman… fully armed”.
Five or six people were reportedly in the nearby kebab shop when shots were fired into it.
Steffen Seibert, the head of the German government’s press office, said: “This is terrible news from Halle and I hope very much that the police catch the perpetrator, or perpetrators, as quickly as possible.”