Shootings near Frankfurt: the path of the xenophobic attack becomes clearer

Flowers were placed on the scene of the attack in Hanau in tribute to the victims, on February 20, 2020. REUTERS / Ralph Orlowski

Text by: Nathalie Versieux

A double shooting targeting shisha bars in the city of Hanau, near Frankfurt in Germany, left nine dead and five seriously injured on Wednesday evening. The alleged killer was found dead at his home.

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With our correspondent in Berlin,

The alleged shooter, Tobias R, was 43 years old and close to the extreme right. He was not known to the police, and legally owned several weapons.

The police found him dead at his home alongside another body which could be that of his mother. His vehicle is in the hands of the police, who have found ammunition there, a veritable arsenal.

The manhunt began shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday evening, supported in particular by a helicopter. Around 3 a.m., the assault took place on the home of the madman, identified according to testimony. A few minutes later, the police left the place with the man's father, handcuffed.

Tobias R. left a 24-page letter to justify his action, as well as a video, both quite confusing. There is a message to the attention of the United States in which he mentions the presence of underground military structures where children are victims of violence. He also talks about the devil and never having had a relationship with a woman. Above all, he calls for the extermination of populations from North Africa and the Middle East, saying that science would prove that certain races are superior to others.

The anti-terrorist prosecution has resumed the investigation, adding that there were " indications of an extremist right-wing background ".

Merkel denounces the "poison" of racism

Germany had been dreading this type of terrorist scenario for months , in a context of deteriorating political climate in the country. Several demonstrations of support for the victims are planned across the country in the evening.

Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted this Thursday morning criticizing the " poison " of racism in Germany. Racism is a poison, hatred is a poison. And this poison exists in our society, from the acts of the NSU to the murder of Walter Lübcke and the assassinations of Halle, "she said, referring respectively to the series of murders and attacks by a neo trio. - Nazi in the 2000s, the murder last June of an elected pro-migrant, then the attack on a synagogue which left two people dead in October.

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  • Germany
  • Terrorism
  • Angela Merkel

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