Germany far-right terrorism

This item appears on page 18 of the April 2020 issue.

A gunman opened fire on two hookah bars in the city of Hanau, western Germany, on the evening of Feb. 19, killing eight people and injuring five others. Each of the people shot was of Middle Eastern or Turkish origin.

The gunman was later found dead of suicide in his home along with the body of his mother, whom it is believed he also murdered. He was identified as a German citizen who had expressed far-right and anti-immigrant beliefs on the internet. He was licensed to own the gun he used in the attacks. The incident is being treated as an act of terrorism by German authorities.