I was a kid in germany when this happened and I heard about it back then. Just now as an adult I grasp the whole tragedy of it all and the consequences it had fpr the media.
First I was shocked by the media and the voyeurism of bystanders. Then I realized I'm just as voyeuristic watching this... a paradox... Unfortunately and in this case tragically curiosity is human nature.
I am glad though that this led to media laws being tightened here in germany.
Then I was baffled by the authorities. Early on the criminals tell that they have nothing to loose and don't care about their lives. Also they didn't wear masks which is an indicator that they didn't plan to get out alive.
So I thought they could have ended it earlier by engaging and probably killing the criminals in the process.
But then there is this small scene later in cologne where an old man says that the criminals need to be put into the ground. A cop answers that we have laws and even the authorities need to obey the law.
And yes, in germany a cop isn't allowed to just kill criminals.
So many people here think that the police was incompetent, but that's just one side of the story.. they need to act within our own laws which sometimes means to not do what one might want to do at first.
Don't get me wrong, the authorities didn't do a very good job here.. but this was a very unique situation.
At least in germany it is quite unique, we don't have too many hostage situations or other gun driven crimes here, partly because the gun laws are very tight.
So I get why in such extreme situations some cops might be overwhelmed, they are humans after all.
In the end I cried for the people who were emotionally hurt for the rest of their lives and especially the 2 young victims and their families.
First I was shocked by the media and the voyeurism of bystanders. Then I realized I'm just as voyeuristic watching this... a paradox... Unfortunately and in this case tragically curiosity is human nature.
I am glad though that this led to media laws being tightened here in germany.
Then I was baffled by the authorities. Early on the criminals tell that they have nothing to loose and don't care about their lives. Also they didn't wear masks which is an indicator that they didn't plan to get out alive.
So I thought they could have ended it earlier by engaging and probably killing the criminals in the process.
But then there is this small scene later in cologne where an old man says that the criminals need to be put into the ground. A cop answers that we have laws and even the authorities need to obey the law.
And yes, in germany a cop isn't allowed to just kill criminals.
So many people here think that the police was incompetent, but that's just one side of the story.. they need to act within our own laws which sometimes means to not do what one might want to do at first.
Don't get me wrong, the authorities didn't do a very good job here.. but this was a very unique situation.
At least in germany it is quite unique, we don't have too many hostage situations or other gun driven crimes here, partly because the gun laws are very tight.
So I get why in such extreme situations some cops might be overwhelmed, they are humans after all.
In the end I cried for the people who were emotionally hurt for the rest of their lives and especially the 2 young victims and their families.