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Candles burn on the stage: In Idar-Oberstein there was a funeral service for the 20-year-old who was shot
Photo: Oliver Dietze / dpa
Less than three weeks after the fatal shot at a 20-year-old in a gas station in Idar-Oberstein, the mother reminded her of her son.
"My angel, I will always love you and your name will never be forgotten," she said at a public memorial service in Idar-Oberstein: "His name was Alex and we are proud of him."
The student, who worked as a temporary worker in the gas station, was shot dead by a customer on September 18 after he had repeatedly drawn his attention to the corona-related mask requirement.
Around 400 people came to the »Memory of Alex«, including members of the family and many friends.
They sat in the hall in silence for a long time before the commemoration began, mostly dressed in black.
On a stage adorned with white and red roses stood a picture of the dead man, framed by candles.
Mother defends the suspect's family
Again and again the mother fought back tears.
Her son was "much more" than the boy who died at the gas station.
"Alex was a fun-loving, helpful, intelligent, charming, charismatic and chaotic and crazy, but above all a loving and funny young man," she said.
He never wanted everyone to be sad because of him, she said.
"It would not have been in his sense that innocent people were attacked." Such as the suspect's family, for example.
“Because they too are only victims.
These people didn't pull the trigger.
Hate doesn't get us any further in life, hate only makes us bitter.
Love is worth so much more. "
The investigation of the Bad Kreuznach public prosecutor's office into murder has not yet been concluded. Alex had repeatedly pointed out to a 49-year-old man that he was required to wear a mask at the gas station, as he was not wearing a beer mask. The man is said to have fetched a gun, came back and shot the 20-year-old in the head from the front. The suspect made a confession and told the police that he opposed the corona measures. The 49-year-old is in custody. The act caused great horror and sympathy nationwide.
Alex's mother said her appeal to everyone was: “Don't take your life for granted.
Make something of your life.
Tell the people you care about that you love them and are proud of them at every opportunity.
Because nobody knows whether there will be a next time. ”She thanked her for the great sympathy and affection that had been shown to her after the crime.
The burial is planned for a later date in the immediate family circle.
ptz / dpa
