Covid-19: strong commotion in Germany after a murder committed by an opponent to wearing a mask – franceinfo

The murder of an employee of a German gas station, shot dead by a customer who refused to wear an anti-Covid mask, caused a stir in the country on Tuesday, September 21. The suspect, a 49-year-old man from Idar-Oberstein (Land of Rhineland-Palatinate) currently in pre-trial detention, shot the 20-year-old student on Saturday, killing him instantly.

The suspect reported to the local police station on Sunday. He said he felt “cornered” by measures relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, which he perceived as a “increasing infringement of his rights” and that he had not seen “no other way out”, said a prosecutor on Monday. Investigators searched his apartment in which they found the murder weapon as well as other firearms and ammunition.

Since Saturday, several residents have placed flowers and candles in front of the gas station. The drama also provoked many reactions in the political class. Social Democratic chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz said on Twitter “very shocked that someone was killed because they wanted to protect themselves and others”. “As a society, we must resolutely oppose hatred. The offender must be severely punished.”, added the current favorite of the polls to the succession of Angela Merkel.

“I am shocked by the terrible murder of a young man who only asked to follow the rules in force, to be careful and to show solidarity”, for her part estimated the environmental candidate for the chancellery, Annalena Baerbock.