Rebecca Collard
Appearances
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
Yeah, so yesterday's attack took place about 7 p.m. local time. And you can see in this security camera footage that's being run on German media that the incident looks really terrifying. You can imagine for those that were inside this crowded market when this happened, just how scary this must have been. You can see this car barreling into the market through the crowd.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
And police say that the car traveled some 400 meters into the market before it was stopped. The official death toll was increased this morning and so was the number of people that are in serious condition. The police have also raided the home of the suspect but really haven't provided more details about him, Scott.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
You know, what we know is that he's a 50-year-old man of Saudi origin, a doctor, that he's been living in Germany since 2006. And we also know that he was living just south of where this attack took place. Police have also said that this man, they think, acted alone.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
But despite that, a number of Christmas markets and events have been canceled and security has been increased in a lot of locations across Germany.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
Yeah, you know, there's nothing official about the motive, even though the suspect is in police custody. I will say, you know, yesterday as this news broke and police said this man was of Saudi origin, immediately there were comparisons to the Christmas market attack here in Berlin in 2016. I think that is still, you know, very much etched in the minds of Berliners.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
You know, then a man drove a truck through a crowded Christmas market, killing 13 people. And that attack, of course, was claimed by the Islamic State. Now, police have not released the suspect's name in this attack, which is normal here. But despite that, there's been an awful lot of speculation online and in the news media as to his identity, but also as to the motive of this attack.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
German media are saying that the suspect has actually been sharing anti-Islamic opinions online. and even expressing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany Party, which is a party that wants to curb immigration. And some of the AFD, Alternative for Germany Party members, have even been accused of racism and Islamophobia in the past.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
And then interestingly, Scott, after visiting the site today, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told reporters that the suspect in this attack, this man of Saudi origin, was clearly Islamophobic. But the minister did not elaborate on his political affiliations. I do think that all of this speculation reflects a very intense political moment in Germany right now.
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Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
Elections are scheduled for February and much of the debate here has really focused on both immigration and security.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
Yeah, I think a lot of the things that you would expect a chancellor to say in this position. So he talked about solidarity with the victims, solidarity with the city, solidarity with Germans as a whole. And he said, of course, it's important that Germans not be divided by hate, but instead be united. You know, the chancellor said he also had received messages of support from around the world.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
And he said that an investigation is being carried out and that it is important to understand how this attack happened and also its motivation. And, you know, Scott, just for a bit of context, Scholz lost a vote of confidence last week. And as I said, Germans are going to the polls in February.
Up First from NPR
Government Shutdown Averted, German Christmas Market Attack, Netflix And The NFL
And the future of Chancellor Scholz, his partners in this now broken political coalition is very uncertain. Schultz arrived at the market with the Minister of Interior and then the Minister of Justice, as well as the state premier, who said that there will be a memorial service held this evening.