The suspect from Albstadt had 32 weapons
In Albstadt, three people die in a shooting. A 63-year-old man is suspected of shooting and killing his 24-year-old son and 84-year-old mother-in-law. Two other family members were reportedly shot and seriously injured by the shooter. He then reportedly committed suicide.
The suspect of the violent crime in Albstadt, Baden-Württemberg (Zollernalbkreis) owned legally 32 weapons, according to official statements. The necessary gun permit was last issued in the year 2020 by the responsible gun authority of the city Albstadt. The authority was not aware of any mental health issues of the suspect. Previously, the "Stuttgarter Zeitung" and "Stuttgarter Nachrichten" reported on the incident.
According to the latest investigation, the 63-year-old man is suspected of shooting his 24-year-old son and the 84-year-old mother-in-law on Sunday. The 26-year-old daughter and her 59-year-old mother were shot and seriously injured by the shooter. He then reportedly committed suicide.
The gun permit of the suspect, according to Albstadt's statements, was obtained based on his hunting license. He had last renewed the hunting license in February 2022, and had held it for a minimum of 30 years, as a spokesperson for the responsible hunting authority in the Zollernalbkreis informed. The number of short weapons, such as pistols or revolvers, is limited for hunters to two - the number of long weapons, such as rifles, is not. The authority was not aware of any mental health issues of the man.
"Not every hunter owns over 30 weapons," says Rene Greiner, spokesperson of the state hunting association. "It depends on where you hunt and what kind of game reserve you have. You need different shooting weapons for goose hunting and for sitting hunting." For example, you need shotguns for goose hunting and rifles with long barrels for sitting hunting.
The background and motive of the crime are still being investigated by the prosecution. A spokesperson stated that the 63-year-old man had not confessed to any wrongdoing before.
In the course of the investigation, hints were followed up on, suggesting that financial worries and a mental health condition may have played a role in the crime, according to police and prosecution. The voluntary inpatient treatment was interrupted by the man for a family meeting over the weekend.
The investigation into the murder and manslaughter in Albstadt, Baden-Württemberg has revealed that the suspect's gun permit was issued for his hunting license and was not related to any international violence or criminality. The police are considering financial struggles and potential mental health issues as possible factors in the crime, which took place among his family members.
