BERLIN (JTA) — The man who shot and killed two U.S. servicemen at Frankfurt Airport was possessed by hatred of Jews and Israel, police say.
Arid Uka, 21, born in Albania, had posted remarks on Facebook condemning German Chancellor Angela Merkel as an "infidel" for her support for Israel, according to a Wall Street Journal report. He wrote that "means we’re on the side of the Jews." He likened this to a "declaration of war on Muslims."
The dapd news agency reported that Uka had openly expressed hate for Jews, Shiite Muslims and "nonbelievers" on several Internet forums.
Police said the gunman, who is in custody in Karlsruhe, had ties to well-known Islamic extremists but probably acted alone. He is facing charges of murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.
The murdered servicemen were part of a British-based U.S. Air Force Security Forces team on a military bus about to go to the U.S. airbase at Ramstein, Germany.
Uka allegedly forced himself onto the bus and fired his gun before fleeing. He was caught by German police and an American serviceman. Uka reportedly has confessed to the crime.
