As of: February 12, 2024, 1:41 p.m
By: Simon Stock
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There is great sympathy: there have been flowers and grave candles at the skate park in Meinerzhagen since the incident.
© Benninghaus, Simone
A 16-year-old dies after an argument between two groups of youth at a skate park in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Hundreds of people are expected at the funeral.
Meinerzhagen - At first glance, the skate park in Meinerzhagen on the edge of the Sauerland in North Rhine-Westphalia does not differ from many other facilities of this type. There is a halfpipe here, smaller and larger ramps, graffiti.
Otherwise it is plain, just a meeting place for young people.
However, one thing is different.
There are flowers in one place, candles flickering - it's a small memorial.
“No matter how hard your struggle may be, you are not alone,” reads a sheet that has been placed in a plastic cover to protect it from the rain.
But the person to whom these wishes apply has lost the fight.
16-year-old dies after a clash between youth groups in the Meinerzhagen skate park
On January 30th, a Tuesday evening, a 16-year-old was seriously injured in a fight between two groups of youth.
He was resuscitated in the skate park and then put into an induced coma in the hospital.
Until the end, the family hoped that the youngest of eleven children would start breathing again.
But after nine days the machines were shut down.
He died of severe internal cerebral hemorrhage, as the medical examiner's office found.
The 16-year-old's mother drove past the skate park on the evening of the events and saw the emergency services - unaware that her son was being resuscitated.
“I was with my brother until the last heartbeat,” says 30-year-old Wilhelm.
He is a father of two himself.
He can't believe his little brother is no longer there.
The skate park has become a place of silence and sadness.
© Lorencic, Sarah
Many people in Meinerzhagen and far beyond the city's borders are like him.
The case caused a stir across Germany.
There is great sadness, horror and sympathy.
An appeal for donations to reduce the costs of the funeral raised almost 70,000 euros within a few days.
Much more than hoped for.
Large crowds expected at 16-year-old's funeral
What exactly happened on the evening of January 30th remains unclear.
Shortly after the 16-year-old was found lifeless in the skate park, a murder squad was founded at Hagen police headquarters.
The investigators had already searched several apartments in the Märkischer Kreis at the beginning of February, as
come-on.de
reported.
The personal details of several suspects were identified.
Investigators also seized cell phones.
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More and more details are becoming known.
Among other things, the Meinerzhagener had been bullied at school for a long time and had previously been the victim of beatings from his classmates.
Was his death wanted, accepted or a tragic accident?
“Massive external force on the head could not be recognized [...].
The result does not indicate an intentional homicide,” wrote the public prosecutor and police.
However, investigations continue.
According to the police, it cannot be ruled out that there is video footage of the altercation.
Therefore, the possibility was set up to provide the homicide squad with video material anonymously.
The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, February 13th.
500 to 600 people are expected at the subsequent funeral.
A funeral march to the skate park is planned for the late afternoon.