Tragic new details about 9yo killed in market attack
Tragic new details have come to light as the youngest victim of the German Christmas market attack has been named.
The youngest victim of the German Christmas market attack has been named as his mum leads the tributes for her “little teddy bear”.
Nine-year-old André Gleißner has been pictured for the first time since the tragedy that also took the lives of four women and left another 205 injured.
A 50-year-old Saudi doctor, named by local media as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, was arrested at the market after he allegedly carried out the deadly three-minute rampage.
The suspect was hauled into court by armed cops last night and now faces five murder charges.
Gleißner’s heartbroken mum Désirée took to social media for the first time since the market attack to post an emotional message to her boy.
It read: “Let my little teddy bear fly around the world again.
“André didn’t do anything to anybody. He was only with us on Earth for nine years. Why you? Just why?
“I don’t understand. Now you are with grandma and grandpa in heaven.
“They missed you very much, as much as we miss you here now. You will always live in our hearts. I promise you that.”
André was also said to be a cherished member of his local community with him being part of the children’s fire brigade in the Wolfenbüttel district.
Fire chief Ludger Flohre described his death as “terrible”.
A number of firefighters arrived at a memorial outside St John’s Church, yards from where the attack happened, and were visibly emotional as they laid down a child’s fireman hat.
Local priest Max Frutchtl added that André actively took part in community traditions like carol singing.
He had just recently moved to Lower Saxony with Désirée.
A family friend also told The Sun how much André was looking forward to Christmas in just a few days time.
They said: “Andre was looking forward to Christmas so much. He wanted to spend the last weekend with his family at the Magdeburg Christmas market.
“That day ended in unbelievable tragedy. Andre was the victim of that terrible attack and will never be able to unwrap his presents.
“With his cheerful smile and joy of life, Andre leaves a big gap in the hearts of his family, friends and all those who knew him.”
Thousands of tributes soon poured in for the young boy with Désirée’s Facebook post being shared by over 185,000 people.
Popular German DJ, Jan Leyk, left an emotional post where he described Gleißner as a “little angel”.
He said: “You were still a child, an innocent little person who had just begun to discover the world - a world that was supposed to love and protect you.
“Instead she failed you. Your life ended far too soon and so tragically, and I can’t believe that you are gone.
“Rest in peace, little angel. May the love of your family surround you for eternity, and may your destiny remind us that it can never come back.”
Thousands of dollars have been raised in just two days in a GoFundMe for the little boy.
The family say they are “overwhelmed” by the support and generosity.
The fundraiser said
It said the money raised would be used for Andre’s funeral, and the gravestone.
Four women aged 45, 52, 67 and 75 also died in the fatal car attack.
None of the victims are yet to be officially named by German authorities.
Officials are still fearing the number of deaths could rise with 41 of those injured still in serious condition.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the people of Magdeburg yesterday that he is still “very worried” over their health.
Along with the five counts of murder, al-Abdulmohsen is also being investigated over 205 counts of suspected attempted murder and inflicting grievous bodily harm, prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens said.
Footage showed the suspect being transported from a police van and led into Magdeburg District Court late last night.
He appeared to be wearing an orange jumpsuit with a grey jumper and white top.
At least six armed officers flanked the alleged killer who had his hands cuffed behind his back.
The judge ordered he remained in custody on multiple severe charges.
The suspect was then taken to a nearby pre-trial correctional facility, Welt reported.
Just a few hours before the devastating attack, al-Abdulmohsen was seen at a local takeaway grabbing a beer.
The owner of the eatery told DailyMail that he looked relaxed, adding that he Áwas a regular customer and was “always alone”.
Reports of the market attack were first reported at 7.02pm local time on Friday when a rental BMW veered off a car-friendly road and onto Breiter Weg - a street designed for tram lines only.
The driver is believed to have hit several pedestrians here at first before quickly turning right onto Alter Markt where many market revellers had gathered.
He was travelling at up to 40mph when the car first rammed dozens of people, horrified witnesses said.
The ground was covered in blood and tinsel as doctors scrambled to treat the injured, onlookers added.
The car went “through people” and sent others “going over it”, a man standing just feet away from the crash added.
Officials say the street had no bollards at its entrance as city authorities had wanted it to be able to be used by emergency services.
After three minutes of devastation, the driver stopped and was quickly surrounded by oncoming cops.
Footage showed suspect al-Abdulmohsen speaking to officers as he voluntarily gave himself up and lay on the street before being arrested.
Market organisers released a heartfelt statement on the tragedy yesterday that read: “We are in deep mourning, and our hearts and thoughts are with the victims, relatives and helpers.
“The Christmas market and the world of lights are over.”
Following on from the attack, thousands gathered to mourn the victims along with government officials and emergency service workers at a moving memorial service at Magdeburg Cathedral.
Candles were lit in solidarity with hundreds of flowers and cuddly toys being laid outside in a makeshift mural.
A minute of silence was also held for the attack during a football match between Rot-Weiss Essen and VfB Stuttgart II.
But it was interrupted by a protester who then escorted outside the stadium in Essen.
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