Massacre at a Kingdom Hall in Germany: solidarity and support for the victims and the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
Raffaella Di Marzio
The Center for Studies on Freedom of Religion Belief and Conscience (LIREC) expresses its deepest solidarity with the families of the victims and the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Hamburg hit by what investigators called "the act of a madman" who fired into the crowd during a church service last night, March 9, 2023, at 9 p.m.
The shooter killed seven people and there were also numerous injuries.
Some news sources have spread the news that the shooter, who committed suicide, is a former member of the congregation. In fact, it seems that he disassociated himself from the congregation about a year and a half ago.
Therefore, this is not just the "act of a madman," but a real hate crime that struck the congregants gathered in the place of worship during a prayer meeting.
What happened raises two serious questions.
The first is the possibility of possessing particularly lethal weapons by a citizen who is not engaged in any activity related to state security and who is not subjected to proper medical examinations to ascertain his qualifications.
The second problem is that of prevention of these phenomena.
While it is difficult for law enforcement agencies to preemptively identify an individual capable of carrying out massacres such as this, it is incumbent on them to investigate anyone who incites hatred toward a particular religious minority. It often happens, in fact, that from hate speech one moves on to incitement to hatred and finally to direct and violent action against certain minorities who become easy "targets," thanks in part to the "sect" stigma amplified by the media without any discernment.
Our Study Center reiterates its support and closeness to a religious community discriminated against, persecuted and even banned in various parts of the world, which today finds itself sharing another bereavement generated by the blind violence of another human being.
We huddle around the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses once again assuring them of our support and closeness.
STATEMENT BY JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
BREAKING NEWS | Shooting at Kingdom Hall in Hamburg, Germany
On March 9, 2023, a shooter attacked the Hamburg-Winterhude Kingdom Hall after the midweek meeting had concluded. Sadly, four brothers, two sisters, and a sister’s unborn child were killed in this shooting. Several other brothers and sisters were injured. Local elders are providing spiritual comfort to the family members and friends of those affected. We appreciate the courageous help provided by the police and emergency services. Our prayers are with all those affected by the attack. We are confident that Jehovah, the God of peace, will continue to be a refuge and strength in this time of distress.—Psalm 9:9; 46:1; Philippians 4:9.
NEWS RELEASES JEHOVAH‘S WITNESSES
Selters/Taunus, March 10, 2023 - Statement on the mass shooting in Hamburg
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany and all over the world are deeply disturbed by the unimaginable act of hatred and violence that occurred on Thursday evening in Hamburg. As a result of the mass shooting in a Kingdom Hall after an evening church service, seven Jehovah’s Witnesses lost their lives, including an unborn child. Another eight were injured, including four severely.
We can confirm that the alleged perpetrator is a former Jehovah’s Witness who voluntarily left the organization two years ago. We do not know the motives behind this grotesque crime. Like the rest of the world, we were both troubled and perplexed to read in the international news that the gunman reportedly harbored “particular anger” for not only Jehovah’s Witnesses, but other religious groups and his former employer.
Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the victims as well as to the survivors. Our main focus continues to be providing pastoral care to all those affected by this tragedy.
At the same time, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the emergency response team. They acted swiftly and no doubt prevented further loss of life and injuries.
The Hamburg-Winterhude Congregation directly affected currently has 64 believers. It is one of 47 congregations in the city of Hamburg with a total of almost 4,000 Jehovah's Witnesses.The LIREC Study Center expresses its deepest solidarity with the families of the victims and the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Hamburg hit by what investigators called "the act of a madman" who fired into the crowd during a church service last night, March 9, 2023, at 9 p.m.
The shooter killed seven people and there were also numerous injuries.
Some news sources have spread the news that the shooter, who committed suicide, is a former member of the congregation. In fact, it seems that he disassociated himself from the congregation about a year and a half ago.
Therefore, this is not just the "act of a madman," but a real hate crime that struck the congregants gathered in the place of worship during a prayer meeting.
What happened raises two serious questions.
The first is the possibility of possessing particularly lethal weapons by a citizen who is not engaged in any activity related to state security and who is not subjected to proper medical examinations to ascertain his qualifications.
The second problem is that of prevention of these phenomena.
While it is difficult for law enforcement agencies to preemptively identify an individual capable of carrying out massacres such as this, it is incumbent on them to investigate anyone who incites hatred toward a particular religious minority. It often happens, in fact, that from hate speech one moves on to incitement to hatred and finally to direct and violent action against certain minorities who become easy "targets," thanks in part to the "sect" stigma amplified by the media without any discernment.
Our Study Center reiterates its support and closeness to a religious community discriminated against, persecuted and even banned in various parts of the world, which today finds itself sharing another bereavement generated by the blind violence of another human being.
We huddle around the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses once again assuring them of our support and closeness.
STATEMENT BY JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
BREAKING NEWS | Shooting at Kingdom Hall in Hamburg, Germany
On March 9, 2023, a shooter attacked the Hamburg-Winterhude Kingdom Hall after the midweek meeting had concluded. Sadly, four brothers, two sisters, and a sister’s unborn child were killed in this shooting. Several other brothers and sisters were injured. Local elders are providing spiritual comfort to the family members and friends of those affected. We appreciate the courageous help provided by the police and emergency services. Our prayers are with all those affected by the attack. We are confident that Jehovah, the God of peace, will continue to be a refuge and strength in this time of distress.—Psalm 9:9; 46:1; Philippians 4:9.
NEWS RELEASES JEHOVAH‘S WITNESSES
Selters/Taunus, March 10, 2023 - Statement on the mass shooting in Hamburg
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany and all over the world are deeply disturbed by the unimaginable act of hatred and violence that occurred on Thursday evening in Hamburg. As a result of the mass shooting in a Kingdom Hall after an evening church service, seven Jehovah’s Witnesses lost their lives, including an unborn child. Another eight were injured, including four severely.
We can confirm that the alleged perpetrator is a former Jehovah’s Witness who voluntarily left the organization two years ago. We do not know the motives behind this grotesque crime. Like the rest of the world, we were both troubled and perplexed to read in the international news that the gunman reportedly harbored “particular anger” for not only Jehovah’s Witnesses, but other religious groups and his former employer.
Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the victims as well as to the survivors. Our main focus continues to be providing pastoral care to all those affected by this tragedy.
At the same time, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the emergency response team. They acted swiftly and no doubt prevented further loss of life and injuries.
The Hamburg-Winterhude Congregation directly affected currently has 64 believers. It is one of 47 congregations in the city of Hamburg with a total of almost 4,000 Jehovah's Witnesses.expresses its deepest solidarity with the families of the victims and the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Hamburg hit by what investigators called "the act of a madman" who fired into the crowd during a church service last night, March 9, 2023, at 9 p.m.
The shooter killed seven people and there were also numerous injuries.
Some news sources have spread the news that the shooter, who committed suicide, is a former member of the congregation. In fact, it seems that he disassociated himself from the congregation about a year and a half ago.
Therefore, this is not just the "act of a madman," but a real hate crime that struck the congregants gathered in the place of worship during a prayer meeting.
What happened raises two serious questions.
The first is the possibility of possessing particularly lethal weapons by a citizen who is not engaged in any activity related to state security and who is not subjected to proper medical examinations to ascertain his qualifications.
The second problem is that of prevention of these phenomena.
While it is difficult for law enforcement agencies to preemptively identify an individual capable of carrying out massacres such as this, it is incumbent on them to investigate anyone who incites hatred toward a particular religious minority. It often happens, in fact, that from hate speech one moves on to incitement to hatred and finally to direct and violent action against certain minorities who become easy "targets," thanks in part to the "sect" stigma amplified by the media without any discernment.
Our Study Center reiterates its support and closeness to a religious community discriminated against, persecuted and even banned in various parts of the world, which today finds itself sharing another bereavement generated by the blind violence of another human being.
We huddle around the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses once again assuring them of our support and closeness.
STATEMENT BY JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
BREAKING NEWS | Shooting at Kingdom Hall in Hamburg, Germany
On March 9, 2023, a shooter attacked the Hamburg-Winterhude Kingdom Hall after the midweek meeting had concluded. Sadly, four brothers, two sisters, and a sister’s unborn child were killed in this shooting. Several other brothers and sisters were injured. Local elders are providing spiritual comfort to the family members and friends of those affected. We appreciate the courageous help provided by the police and emergency services. Our prayers are with all those affected by the attack. We are confident that Jehovah, the God of peace, will continue to be a refuge and strength in this time of distress.—Psalm 9:9; 46:1; Philippians 4:9.
NEWS RELEASES JEHOVAH‘S WITNESSES
Selters/Taunus, March 10, 2023 - Statement on the mass shooting in Hamburg
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany and all over the world are deeply disturbed by the unimaginable act of hatred and violence that occurred on Thursday evening in Hamburg. As a result of the mass shooting in a Kingdom Hall after an evening church service, seven Jehovah’s Witnesses lost their lives, including an unborn child. Another eight were injured, including four severely.
We can confirm that the alleged perpetrator is a former Jehovah’s Witness who voluntarily left the organization two years ago. We do not know the motives behind this grotesque crime. Like the rest of the world, we were both troubled and perplexed to read in the international news that the gunman reportedly harbored “particular anger” for not only Jehovah’s Witnesses, but other religious groups and his former employer.
Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the victims as well as to the survivors. Our main focus continues to be providing pastoral care to all those affected by this tragedy.
At the same time, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the emergency response team. They acted swiftly and no doubt prevented further loss of life and injuries.
The Hamburg-Winterhude Congregation directly affected currently has 64 believers. It is one of 47 congregations in the city of Hamburg with a total of almost 4,000 Jehovah's Witnesses.