German Yom Kippur synagogue shooter live-streamed attack online

9 October 2019, 22:31

The shooter behind Wednesday's attacker in Germany live-streamed his attack
The shooter behind Wednesday's attacker in Germany live-streamed his attack. Picture: PA

By Kate Buck

A gunman who shot and killed two people in what appears to be a religiously motivated attack outside a live-streamed his rampage online.

The suspect has been named by German news outlet the Bild as 27-year-old Stephan Balliet.

The gunman launched his assault at a synagogue in Halle on Judaism's holiest day, Yom Kippur.

In footage shared online, the shooter, dressed in military fatigues, ranted about feminism and denied the Holocaust.

Using a helmet mounted camera, he then threw homemade devices over the walls into the Jewish cemetery.

After failing to gain access to the synagogue where around 80 people were praying he returned to his vehicle where he shot a woman dead in the street.

He then drove to a kebab shop close to the synagogue and opened fire a second time, killing a man inside.

The gunman, who was wearing gloves, can be seen opening a bag containing what appears to be improvised explosive devices
The gunman, who was wearing gloves, can be seen opening a bag containing what appears to be improvised explosive devices. Picture: Social Media
The suspect used a helmet mounted camera to film his attack and stream it online
The suspect used a helmet mounted camera to film his attack and stream it online. Picture: Social Media

It is not clear if either of his victims were Jewish.

During the attack, the suspect gets increasingly frustrated as his weapons repeatedly jam.

According to German media, he then commandeered a taxi by shooting the driver and made it to Werschen, around 40 miles away, before being arrested by police.

At least two other people have been injured and have gone under surgery for gunshot wounds.

Halle's 240,000 residents were told to stay inside as police hunted a possible second gunman, but it is now thought the suspect was acting alone.

He failed to gain entry to a synagogue before launching explosives over the walls
He failed to gain entry to a synagogue before launching explosives over the walls. Picture: Social Media
The gunman killed a man and a woman
The gunman killed a man and a woman. Picture: Social Media

Germany's interior minister Horst Seehofer has said the shooting appeared to be an anti-semitic attack which was possible motivated by right-wing extremism.

He said: "According to what we now know we have to assume that it was at least an anti-Semitic attack

"According to the federal prosecutor there are sufficient indications for a possible right-wing extremist motive."

The head of the Jewish community in Halle, Max Privorotzki, said those inside the synagogue were alerted to the attack when they heard shots outside the building.

Outside security cameras allowed them to see the suspect trying to enter the building.

Armed officers in the immediate aftermath of the shooting
Armed officers in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Picture: PA
Police seen in Halle in the aftermath of the shooting
Police seen in Halle in the aftermath of the shooting. Picture: PA
The kebab shop which the gunman chose as one of the scenes of his attack
The kebab shop which the gunman chose as one of the scenes of his attack. Picture: pa

Mr Privorotzki told Der Speigel magazine: "The attacker repeatedly shot at the door and also threw several Molotov cocktails, firecrackers and grenades to force his way in.

"But the door stayed shut, God protected us. The whole thing lasted perhaps five to 10 minutes."

He added that the congregation continued their prayer after the attack.

Federal prosecutors, who in Germany handle cases involving suspected terrorism or national security, took over the investigation into the attack in Halle.

A video clip broadcast by regional public broadcaster MDR showed a man in a helmet and an olive-coloured top getting out of a car and firing four shots from behind the vehicle from a long-barrelled gun. It was not clear what he was shooting at.

Police seen outside the walls of the synagogue after the shooting
Police seen outside the walls of the synagogue after the shooting. Picture: PA
A vigil held in Halle
A vigil held in Halle. Picture: PA

Synagogues are often protected by police in Germany. Security was stepped up at synagogues in other cities after the shooting in Halle.

German officials have condemned the attack.

"Shots being fired at a synagogue on Yom Kippur, the festival of reconciliation, hits us in the heart," foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter.

"We must all act against anti-Semitism in our country."

Vice chancellor Olaf Scholz said that "all our country's citizens of Jewish faith can be sure that we are with them with our whole heart and we will give them all the security that is possible".

The European Parliament held a moment of silence at the start of its session Wednesday to mark the situation in Halle.

Manfred Weber, the German leader of the centre-right EPP group in the parliament, declared that "anti-Semites and anybody who wants to question freedom of belief are not just our opponents, they are our enemies".

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

The teenage girl was crashed into by a paraglider in Turkey

'I thought she was dead': British teen left fighting for life in Turkey after paraglider crashes into her on family holiday

FBI investigating racist 'cotton picking' texts sent anonymously to black citizens across the US

FBI investigating racist 'cotton picking' texts sent anonymously to black citizens across the US

Iran rejects assassination attempt claims after plot against Donald Trump thwarted by FBI

Iran rejects assassination attempt claims after plot against Donald Trump thwarted by FBI

Fighting broke out in Amsterdam on Thursday night

Emergency measures in Amsterdam after Israeli football fans targeted by pro-Palestine 'hit-and-run attacks'

Donald Trump.

Iranian assassination attempt against Donald Trump thwarted by FBI

'Honour of my life to serve as Taoiseach' says Simon Harris as date set for Ireland election.

'Honour of my life to serve as Taoiseach', says Simon Harris as date set for Ireland election

Violence broke out after the match in Amsterdam

Israeli football fans targeted by pro-Palestine 'hit-and-run attacks' as 62 arrested, Amsterdam mayor says

Dozens of cars were washed away as new flash flooding hit a town in Spain

Scenes of destruction as new flash floods hit Spanish town - washing away dozens of cars

Violence broke out after the match in Amsterdam

Israel sends planes to Amsterdam to 'rescue' football fans as Dutch PM condemns 'anti-Semitic attacks'

Ian Botham was saved from the crocodile by his former rival Merv Hughes

Ian Botham saved from crocodiles by former Australian cricket rival after falling into remote river

The 'disgusting' balls shut down beaches in Sydney

Revealed: Mysterious origin of 'disgusting' black balls that washed up on Sydney beaches

The YouTuber died after crashing his BMW in New York

YouTuber 1Stockf30 dies aged 25 after crashing BMW in New York street race

Exclusive
Dame Karen Pierce won't have her term in the United States extended, LBC understands.

Britain's ambassador to the US won't have her term extended in wake of historic Donald Trump election victory

Australia is introducing a minimum age for children using social media.

Australia proposes 'world-leading' ban on social media for children under 16

Live
Donald Trump to begin picking cabinet as Biden praises Kamala Harris' 'courage' and integrity'.

US election 2024 LIVE: Donald Trump to begin picking cabinet as Biden praises Kamala Harris' 'courage' and integrity'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results