Six members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses community were murdered this Thursday in Hamburg, Germany, by a man who had left the religious group 18 months ago, local authorities reported.
The attacker, identified as 35-year-old Philipp F., also injured eight people, including a seven-month-pregnant woman who lost her child in the attack. After the arrival of the security forces, the attacker committed suicide inside the building where the religious activity was taking place.
The Police received an anonymous letter in January indicating that Philipp F. suffered from a psychiatric illness, although it was not confirmed by any doctor because the attacker refused to consult a specialist.
The motives behind the attack are still unknown, but lThe Hamburg Prosecutor’s Office has ruled out a motive “terrorist” behind the massacre. The man had no criminal record and according to police, “He nurtured a rage against members of religious congregations, particularly Jehovah’s Witnesses and his former employer.”
The building where the attack occurred was located on a main avenue in Hamburg and there were around 50 people gathered for a prayer session. The rapid arrival of the security forces made it possible to avoid a higher death toll, according to the authorities.