Reactions to the rampage in Heidelberg: "It tears my heart apart"

Enlarge image

Olaf Scholz (archive photo): "I am dismayed by the incident in Heidelberg"

Photo: Chris Emil Janssen / imago images / Chris Emil Janssen

During a killing spree in a lecture hall at Heidelberg University, an 18-year-old student shot dead a young woman and injured three other people.

The perpetrator stormed into the lecture hall with a shotgun on Monday afternoon and shot around, the police said.

He then fled the university building and killed himself.

Investigators have not yet released any information about the motive.

It's still too early for that, said Andreas Herrgen, head of the Heidelberg public prosecutor's office.

Politicians were appalled by the crime.

Chancellor

said in Berlin: "It breaks my heart to hear such news." Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister

promised that the crime would be clarified quickly.

“My thoughts are with the families and their loved ones.

We are by your side.«

Interior Minister

(CDU) added: "For the injured and those involved, including those who were present in the tutorial, I hope for a speedy recovery in body and soul." It was a "terribly stressful situation".

Science Minister

(Greens) visited the scene of the crime on Monday afternoon: “I am appalled.

It leaves you speechless when innocent young people have to experience something like this in higher education.«

Heidelberg Mayor

(independent) expressed his condolences to the victims and their families.

"Not only were we stunned, we actually can't believe that something like this is happening here in Heidelberg."

The President of the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) and deputy CDU leader

was deeply affected. "It is shocking that the peaceful place of joint learning became the site of an armed attack." The Schleswig-Holstein Minister of Education also said: "My thoughts are with the relatives of the victims, the students and teachers and university members of the medical faculty of the University of Heidelberg."

According to the diocese, the Archbishop of Freiburg,

, was “shocked” by the killing spree. “We in the entire archdiocese of Freiburg look at Heidelberg in disbelief. I am appalled and deeply dismayed by the attack that took place in a university lecture hall this afternoon," Burger said in a statement on Monday. He is in prayer with the victims and their relatives and thanks the rescue workers for their commitment. »Violence and bloodshed can never be a way, for whatever.« The city of Heidelberg is located in the Archdiocese of Freiburg.

The

body was also stunned.

“We are infinitely shocked.

This is a catastrophe that eludes everything conceivable between lectures, exams and university life," said Chairman Peter Abelmann.

The university is currently preparing a funeral service.

could not name any precise plans

on Monday evening.

Throughout the day, he had received messages from scientists from all over Europe who were following what was happening in Heidelberg and offering help, said Eitel.

It is also felt to be an attack on the openness of the universities and the academic tradition.

aar/dpa