Germany still clueless about motive for fatal van attack

By: The Associated Press

Sunday, April 8, 2018 1:25 AM

MUENSTER, Germany (AP) Prosecutors say they still have no indication why a 48-year-old man drove a van into a crowd of people in the western German city of Muenster, killing two and injuring 20 before he shot himself to death inside the van.

In a joint statement with police, prosecutor Martin Botzenhardt wrote Sunday that "as of now, we don't have any leads regarding a possible background for the deed."

Authorities have identified the two fatalities of Saturday's crash as a 51-year-old woman from the county of Lueneburg and a 65-year-old man from the county of Broken. Their names weren't given as is customary in Germany.

Local media have identified the perpetrator as a German living in Muenster who had been suffering from psychological problems, but police wouldn't confirm those details.

Germany still clueless about motive for fatal van attack

In this Saturday, April 7, 2018 photo people light candles in Muenster, western Germany where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Friso Gensch/dpa via AP)

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In this Saturday, April 7, 2018 photo a ribbon with the writing 'Muenster' sits between candles in Muenster, western Germany where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Friso Gensch/dpa via AP)

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Forensic experts work on the scene in Muenster, western Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)

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A damaged van sits on the platform of a truck in Muenster, western Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 after the van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)

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A body is loaded into a vehicle in front of a restaurant in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 after a vehicle crashed into a crowd. A van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar Saturday in the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it, police said. (David Young/dpa via AP)

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Police guard in downtown Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018. A vehicle crashed into a crowd Saturday in the western German city of Muenster, killing three people and injuring 20 others. The German news agency dpa has quoted police as saying the driver of that car in Muenster has killed himself. (Bernd Thissen/dpa via AP)

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Police guard in downtown Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018. A van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar Saturday in the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it, police said. (Bernd Thissen/dpa via AP)

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People stay in front of a restaurant in Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018 after a vehicle crashed into a crowd killing four people and injuring 20 others. The German news agency dpa has quoted police as saying the driver of that car in Muenster has killed himself. (Stephan R./dpa via AP)

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Police officers secure the crime scene after a car crashed into a group of people leaving several dead in Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Ferdinand Ostrop)

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Police walk in downtown Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018. A vehicle crashed into a crowd Saturday in the western German city of Muenster, killing three people and injuring 20 others. The German news agency dpa has quoted police as saying the driver of that car in Muenster has killed himself. (Friso Gentsch/dpa via AP)

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