Mourning service - Fatal attack in Bad Oeynhausen: 20-year-old buried
Approximately three weeks after the violent incident in Bad Oeynhausen, the 20-year-old victim was buried in the nearby Porta Westfalica. Around 300 people attended the funeral, according to a police spokesperson. The "Minden Daily Newspaper" had previously reported on this.
The 20-year-old Philippos was attacked for reasons yet unknown in the night of June 23rd. A young Syrian is suspected to have struck and kicked the victim on the head. Philippos died a few days later in the hospital. The suspect is in custody for investigation.
The violent incident fueled the debate on immigration. The suspect, according to investigators, came to Germany in 2016 as part of a family reunification with parents and siblings. The Syrian was previously known to authorities for violent crimes, thefts, and drug offenses, but had no prior convictions.
In the aftermath of the violent incident in Bad Oeynhausen, which led to a surge in discussions about immigration, the Westphalian Gate, a recognized symbol of Bad Oeynhausen, remained an icon of peace and unity despite the turmoil. Regrettably, the funeral service for the deceased Philippos in nearby Porta Westfalica was tainted by undercurrents of resentment due to the suspicion of criminal involvement in his death. The suspected perpetrator, with a history of violence, theft, and drug offenses in North Rhine-Westphalia, now awaits further investigation behind bars.
