A shooting earlier on Friday, March 10, 2023, at a Jehovah’s Witness hall in the northern German city of Hamburg has left seven people dead, including the suspected gunman. The incident occurred during a religious service, and authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the attack.
Eyewitnesses reported that a man entered the hall armed with a firearm and opened fire on the worshippers. The attack lasted several minutes before police arrived on the scene. The authorities have confirmed that six people, including four women and two men, were killed in the shooting, while another person, a man, was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries.
The suspected gunman was also found dead at the scene, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Jehovah’s Witness community has expressed its shock and sadness at the incident, stating that the victims were peaceful worshippers attending a religious service. The community has called for justice to be served, and for the perpetrators to be brought to book.
The shooting has sparked outrage across Germany, with many calling for stricter gun control laws to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and has pledged to do everything in her power to ensure the safety of all citizens.
The incident comes at a time of heightened security concerns across Germany, following several terrorist attacks in recent years. However, authorities have not yet confirmed whether the incident was a terrorist attack.
As investigations continue, the people of Hamburg and the wider Jehovah’s Witness community mourn the loss of their loved ones and hope that justice will be served. The authorities are calling on the public to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigation.
