Nine dead in attack by suspected right-wing extremist in Germany

Authorities in Germany say that at least nine people were killed Wednesday night when a suspected far-right gunman opened fire in multiple locations.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that a gunman opened fire on a cafe and hookah bar in the Frankfurt suburb of Hanau before leaving the scene and opening fire at second location, striking a car and a sports bar.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement that the attack appeared to be motivated by racism.

“There is much to indicate that the perpetrator acted out of far-right extremist, racist motives. Out of hatred for people with other origins, other faiths or a different appearance,” Merkel said, according to the AP.

The Guardian reported that police said the shooter, whom they identified as 43-year-old Tobias R., then went home and killed his mother and himself.

At least five Turkish nationals were among the people killed, Turkish officials told a state broadcaster, according to Reuters. A spokesman for Turkey’s president called on Merkel to address racism and investigate the case fully.

“We expect German authorities to show maximum effort to enlighten this case. Racism is a collective cancer,” said the spokesman.

Merkel denounced racism in a statement following the attack, calling it a “poison” responsible for too many deaths in Europe.

“Racism is a poison. Hatred is a poison,” she said.

“This poison exists in our society and it is responsible for far too many crimes.”