The Halle Attack 2019

The Attack

Stephan Balliet was a 27-year-old man from Sachsen-Anhalt when, in the early morning of October 9, 2019 — the most important Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur — he put on protective clothing, armed himself with self-constructed weapons and several explosive devices, and drove to the local synagogue in Halle an der Saale.

Balliet had meticulously planned the attack. He had produced handmade weapons and explosives in his home and livestreamed the attacks on internet platforms to maximize media attention and propaganda. His intention was clear: to kill as many people as possible, especially members of the Jewish community.

When Balliet arrived at the synagogue, he attempted to break in. The building was locked for security reasons, so he was unable to access the approximately 70 Jewish members celebrating their holiday inside. Frustrated at being stopped by the locked door, he changed targets and instead attacked a nearby kebab restaurant, where he killed two people and wounded others.

Investigation and Arrest

Police responded quickly to the attack. Balliet was pursued and arrested shortly after his attacks. He immediately confessed and made no attempt to hide his motives: the desire to commit a mass massacre inspired by far-right ideology and antisemitism.

Examination of his digital footprint revealed that Balliet had been an active member of online far-right extremist forums. He had released a manifesto before the attack, in which he formulated his hateful ideological views. His self-produced weapons and explosives were documented by investigators as evidence of planning and intent.