The attacker was identified as “Philip F”, 35 years old and was a former Jehovah’s Witness who had obtained last year a license of weapons as a sports shooter which enabled him to acquire the gun that he used in the attack against this community, announced the police authorities and the prosecution this Friday during a joint press conference. The man’s last name is Run as can be seen from the capture on its website, but the German authorities avoid giving the full name of the suspect.
The shooter, who he committed suicide when the police entered the building, had no criminal record and no complaints of any kind had been filed against him, but the chief of police in this northern German city, Martin Meyer, explained that an anonymous informant he had warned that due to an undiagnosed psychiatric disorder, he was not a suitable candidate for a weapons license.
The authorities carried out the corresponding procedures, but according to the results of the inspection that was carried out, no further measures were adopted and F.’s weapons license was not withdrawn, the officer said. from police.
“An anonymous report from someone who expresses fear that someone may have a mental disorder is not a basis on which action can be taken,” Meyer said when questioned by the press and argued that this possibility would lead to a climate of mutual denunciation between citizens. . .
The relationship between the shooter and the community of Jehovah’s Witnesses he attacked has not yet been fully elucidated and the Authorities are investigating whether he voluntarily abandoned her or was deported because of some kind of dispute.
However, Meyer pointed out that “there is no indication that community members felt threatened.”
The events took place around 9 p.m. local time, when F. first opened fire on a woman who was in a vehicle in the building’s parking lot, then began shooting through the ground floor window. floor where Jehovah’s Witnesses held a religious service.
Still shooting, he went inside, where killed six adults including a seven-month pregnant woman, before being interrupted by the arrival of special police forces.
According to German media, the attacker was from Kempten (South Germany) and on his website he has offered his services as an adviser on matters of all kinds, from business to theology.