German authorities say six people and an unborn child were killed, as well as eight others being wounded, after a gunman opened fire at a Jehovah’s Witness hall on Thursday in Hamburg, Germany.
The shooting began at around 9:00 pm local time, where the gunman, identified as former congregation member “Philipp K,” 35, opened fire during a meeting at the hall located in the city’s Gross Borstel district. Among the dead were four men and two women, aged 33 to 60. Among the wounded was a pregnant woman, who lost her child due to being shot in the attack.
Germany?Suspected terror attack in Hamburg; Atleast seven people killed and eight others injured in a shooting that took place on Thursday night at a Jehovah's Witness center in the Gros Borstel district of Hamburg; Attacker reportedly neutralized. pic.twitter.com/16JHOBFBYs
— Megh Updates ?™ (@MeghUpdates) March 10, 2023
The suspect killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound before responding authorities arrived at the scene four minutes after emergency calls were made. In total, about 135 rounds were fired and the suspect had 20 full magazines left that held 15 rounds each.
So far authorities have not suggested a motive behind the attack, but noted that the suspect may have been harboring hate towards the church after leaving it on bad terms over a year ago. So far, terrorism has been ruled out.
Likewise, authorities say the suspect did not have a criminal record, however, he was known by authorities after they received an anonymous tip in 2014 that he was suffering from mental health issues that posed a threat. While investigating the tip, authorities were made aware that he legally-owned a pistol, the same one used in the attack, but had no legal basis to take it away. The investigation was ultimately closed with no further action being taken. The suspect continued his legal ownership and renewal of sport gun permits until the shooting.
