The physician Fritz von Weizsäcker is dead, he was stabbed during a lecture at a Berlin clinic. A suspect is a 57-year-old, who is said to have come on Tuesday evening as a guest to the event in Charlottenburg. His motives are still unclear, the investigations are underway.
The shock of the crime in front of an audience is deep in many. Health Senator Dilek Kalayci of the SPD expressed her condolences that she was dismayed by the news. Kalayci condemns violence against doctors and nurses "to the utmost". That people who help others and save lives, something like that, shake them especially. "My thanks and respect go out to the participants of the event who have shown moral courage."
DPA
Fritz von Weizsäcker at an award ceremony in 2015
The head of the hospital of the Berlin University Hospital Charité was "deeply shocked". The act was done during a lecture for the lay audience and thus in a context that is commonplace at the Charité, it said in a statement. Von Weizsäcker had been a "valued and friendly colleague". "Our thoughts are with the relatives and the colleagues of the Schlosspark-Klinik."
Beatrice von Weizsäcker's sister posted a picture of a cross on Instagram and wrote: "Watch out for my brother ..."
Check out this post on Instagram
Take care of my brother ... ~ ~ #cross #tod #brother #fritz #jesus #christus #sanclemente #mosaik #apsis #photography #dkgtt #herrgottswinkel #pigeon #apostel #beten #prayer #basilica #cathedral #catholic #rom #roma #italia #italia
A post shared by Beatrice von Weizsäcker (@bvweizsaecker) on Nov 19, 2019 at 9:34 PST
One of the cousins Fritz von Weizsäcker is Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, who sat for the SPD until 2005 in the Bundestag. "I thought it was wonderful," said the 80-year-old environmental scientist about his deceased cousin. "I loved him unusually." He recently met him at a family party and had a nice chat with him.
"So damn brutal"
Under the hashtag # Weizsäcker, many people expressed sadness and horror over the act of violence. "It's so damn brutal what some people do to others," wrote a user from Bremen. It is difficult not to hate such perpetrators.
Very early, and, as it turned out, without basis, the social media speculated on the origin of the alleged perpetrator - which caused clear criticism.
Sometimes you want to scream with sadness and anger. Just a man, doctor, son, brother and father of three children u friend has been stabbed and nothing is more important than the origin of the offender.
I would like to express my condolences and send a lot of strength.
RiP # Weizsäcker pic.twitter.com/mmKUmMGfA2
The SPD politician Karl Lauterbach stressed that he had Fritz von Weizsäcker "despite different positions in the health system" very much appreciated. Lauterbach spoke of a "cowardly murder" - a formulation that also served AfD frontwoman Alice Weidel.
I knew Fritz von Weizsäcker and we appreciated each other despite different positions in the health system. The cowardly murder left us all poorer, his contribution to our society was great. My condolences to the whole family. https://t.co/LMrz5Vb1eW
- Karl Lauterbach (@Karl_Lauterbach) November 20, 2019FDP leader Christian Lindner expressed via Twitter his dismay over the violent death of his friend. "I'm stunned and have to share my grief, and once again, one wonders what kind of world we live in."
My friend Fritz von Weizsäcker was stabbed tonight in Berlin. A passionate doctor and a fine person. Recently he was at home for a barbecue. I am stunned and must share my grief. Once again, one asks oneself in which world we live. CL
- Christian Lindner (@c_lindner) 19 November 2019The head of the Berlin FDP, Christoph Meyer, pleaded not to remember Fritz von Weizsäcker as the son of the former Federal President, but "above all as a passionate doctor and great people". The 59-year-old Fritz von Weizsäcker leaves behind his wife and three children together.
A terrible act whose circumstances are so far completely unclear. Fritz von # Weizsäcker should not be remembered as a son, but above all as a passionate doctor and a great person. My thoughts are with his relatives. TM
- Christoph Meyer (@ChristophFDP) November 20, 2019