Two Victims Of Synagogue Attack In Germany Identified

HALLE (JNS) — The two victims of the Wednesday attack on a synagogue in Halle, Germany, on Yom Kippur, have been identified.

German pop-music enthusiast Jana Lange, 40, and outdoor painter Kevin S., 20, were shot and killed near the synagogue by 27-year-old Stephan Balliet, who first attempted to break into a synagogue, but was unable to open the massive wooden doors, which were bolted shut.

After failing to gain entry to the synagogue, Balliet shot and killed Lange. Minutes later, he shot and killed Kevin S. (his last name has not been released) while he was eating lunch at a nearby kebab shop.

The suspect livestreamed the attacks on Twitch, with the 35-minute video being viewed by 2,200 people in the 30 minutes before it was taken down, according to the video platform.

Balliet has since confessed to the attacks, which were condemned by Jewish and Israeli leaders. The United States also expressed its condolences.

“Stephan [Balliet] has admitted to the accusations and specifically to his anti-Semitic as well as right-wing extremist motives,” said Markus Schmitt, press officer of the prosecutor of the German federal court.