Shootings in Hamburg: The attack on a Jehovah’s Witness church is called a “bloodbath” by the police

At least seven people were killed and dozens were injured in the process of an armed attack yesterday Thursday (9/3) night at a Jehovah’s Witnesses church in Ulsterdorfin the north Hamburg her Germany. Police spoke of a “bloodbath” and warned citizens of “extremely high risk”.

According to information cited by the German newspaper “Bild”, the police call the situation “unpredictable” and, through a special early warning application, have asked citizens to stay at home and avoid using their mobile phones in order not to overload the network. “Seek shelter in a building immediately. Use the phone only in an emergency, so that the lines do not collapse”, urged the message received by the citizens.

A police spokesman said the first call came in shortly after 9:15 p.m. (local time – 10:15 p.m. Greek time) and related to reports of shots fired. Police officers already in the area rushed to the scene and heard another shot as they approached the building. The police themselves did not open fire, it was clarified.

According to “Bild”, initially six dead were identified. The seventh was found by police on the second floor. “It is not yet clear if this is the perpetrator, however there is no evidence that the perpetrator or perpetrators of the attack escaped”, a police spokesman said. Local media reports that he allegedly shot up to 30 people.

He added that there is still no reliable information about the motive of the attack.

“The reports from Ulsterdorf tonight are shocking. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Emergency services are working to identify the perpetrators and determine their motives. Please pay attention to the instructions of the Hamburg police,” the Hanseatic city’s mayor, Peter Chencher, said on Twitter.