Halle shooting – Two killed as machine-gun maniac ‘in combat gear’ sprays bullets outside synagogue and throws grenade on Jewish cemetery
TWO people have been killed by “several culprits” in a shocking grenade and machine gun attack outside a synagogue in Germany this morning.
Cops in the city of Halle said they have arrested one man but warned locals to stay inside while they hunt down the rest of the armed gang.
Further shots were also heard in the town of Landsberg, which is about five miles away from Halle, it was later reported.
Today’s attacks happened on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism when Jews fast for more than 24 hours, seeking atonement
One maniac is said to have fired multiple shots with a sub-machine gun killing two and injuring several others near the synagogue.
The suspect is then reported to have thrown a hand grenade into a nearby Jewish cemetery.
The device caused a loud bang, but caused no severe damage, according to one witness.
Others said the shooter wore combat clothing and was armed with several weapons.
One local told reporters: “I heard gun shots.”
When asked what the man’s face looked like, the witness said: “I didn’t see anything. Only that he had a machine gun and had shot a woman.”
Others claimed one man also opened fire on a kebab shop in Halle with an assault rifle, reports the BBC.
One witness said: “The man came up to the Doner shop, he threw something like a grenade, it didn’t explode, and he opened fire with an assault rifle.
“The man behind me must have died… I hid in the toilet.”
Police revealed they have now arrested one suspect but warned the incident in “ongoing” and told locals to “still stay alert.”
“We have strong forces in and around Halle and stabilise the situation until all information is secured,” they said.
Investigators have sealed off the area in the Paulus district and the station in Halle has also been closed over security fears.
Some of those involved in the attack are reportedly on the run towards Leipzig – just over 30 miles away.
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Local police said the perpetrators fled in a vehicle and a full-scale manhunt has been launched.
Police did not confirm reports the shooter had gone to the door of the synagogue before opening fire on passersby.
The attack took place on Humboldtstrasse in Halle, which houses a synagogue and Jewish cemetery.
It came after a series of raids were carried out last night by police in connection with threatening far-right emails sent to mosques, political parties and migrant reception centres across Germany.