The 35-year-old man, whose name was given as Philipp F. in accordance with German privacy laws, killed six people and then himself when he opened fire on Thursday evening. The exact motives were still unknown, but officials said the gunman had previously expressed his hatred for Jehovah's Witnesses. According to a briefing given by police and prosecutors in Hamburg on Friday, Philipp F. was the licenced owner of a Heckler & Koch P30 semi-automatic handgun. "Philipp F. supposedly harbours a particular anger towards religious followers especially towards Jehovah's Witnesses and his former employer." When they met Philipp F., he was cooperative and gave no indication of mental health problems.

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