Flowers are set in front of the old synagogue in Essen, Germany, Oct. 10, 2019. A heavily armed assailant ranting about Jews tried to force his way into a synagogue in Halle, Germany on Wed., killing two people nearby. (AP/Martin Meissner)
German authorities released the names of the two victims in the Halle synagogue shooting.
By World Israel News Staff
The identities of the two victims in Wednesday’s attack on a German synagogue in the city of Halle were revealed by German media on Thursday. They are Jana Lange, 40, and Kevin S., 20.
On Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement and the holiest day in Judaism, neo-Nazi Stephan Balliet, 27, attempted to storm a synagogue in Halle. Unable to enter the building and penetrate its heavy wooden doors, he instead shot Lange on the street as she passed by.
Balliet then drove away. When he passed a kebab shop, he decided to make that the target, entering and shooting Kevin S.
It doesn’t appear that either of his victims were Jewish.
Lange was known as a music lover. German singer Stefan Mross posted condolences on his Facebook page, describing her as his “most loyal fan from Halle.”
“We are deeply affected.
The Rampage in Halle took from us our most loyal fan from Halle… Joy of joy, music fan and loyal follower of our slaughter music. That was Jana’s life.
With 3 shots [killed] an innocent person – what else to say.
I’m stunned.
We just met you 2 days ago at a TV recording in Leipzig. Happy and full of life energy…
She wrote on her board: ” may life give you only beautiful moments…”
Thanks Jana – our condolences to all relatives and friends 😔”
Lange couldn’t work due to a medical condition. She was described as a “warm and funny woman,” according to reports.
Kevin worked as a painter at a construction site next to the synagogue. He was a devoted follower of soccer club Halleschen FC.
Kevin’s father reportedly waited nervously to hear from Kevin after he learned of the shooting. He wrote on his son’s Facebook page before he learned of the truth: “All we know is that you were close to the area and that you probably lost the phone. We love you Kevin, more than anything.”
Germany’s Chief General Prosecutor Peter Frank told reporters on Thursday “What we witnessed yesterday was terror.” The neo-Nazi shooter “had intended to cause a massacre.”
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