Mourning for Hank (12) after fatal incident in supermarket parking lot. After an argument, a young boy accompanied by a friend was driven to his death. The whole community is shocked and in mourning.
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The parking lot of a supermarket in Niedernhall (Baden-Württemberg) is no longer just a place for everyday shopping.
“I live right over there and witnessed everything last night.”
Chalk markings at the crime scene | Source: Getty Images
Where normally shopping carts and people rush to and fro, there is now silence and sadness. Twelve-year-old Hank died here last Thursday evening. According to current information, he was hit by an 18-year-old driver who is now in custody on suspicion of manslaughter. There is said to have been an argument beforehand.
The news of what happened has deeply shaken the community of around 4,000 inhabitants. At the weekend, the route of a marathon ran through the village. Music and celebrations were deliberately avoided and the mood was one of shock. Mayor Achim Beck explained: “We are deeply shocked and stunned. We can’t believe it.”
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Mourners in the community leave candles and stuffed animals | Source: Getty Images
The parents of the deceased child also took part in a church service as part of the marathon, sought comfort in the community and then visited the place where their son died again. They stayed there for several hours in silent mourning. In the days that followed, they returned repeatedly, accompanied by relatives, friends and many people from the neighborhood.
Over the course of the weekend, more and more people came to the scene of the accident to show their sympathy. In addition to family members, acquaintances and completely uninvolved people also turned up to express their sympathy. Flowers, candles and stuffed animals now adorn the site. A pavilion was even erected to protect the memories and the memorial from the rain.
Cordoning off the crime scene and the benches set up for the bereaved to mourn | Source: Getty Images
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The boy’s mother, Vanessa, expressed her grief with moving words: “No one in this world can feel our pain.” On this occasion, she handed over a photo of her son and added: “I want the whole world to see this.” Her words made it clear how immeasurable the loss is for the family.
The traces of the tragic incident are still visible just a few meters away from the memorial sites. Chalk lines mark the outlines that helped the investigators to reconstruct the course of the accident. The car’s skid marks are also clearly visible. Helpers have set up two benches at this spot, protected by a tarpaulin, so that relatives can linger undisturbed.
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While the police and public prosecutor’s office continue to investigate the circumstances of what happened, the family’s focus is on the question of “why”. This question remains unanswered, as does the question of how the escalation in the parking lot could have happened.
There has been great sympathy from the local population and the community has shown solidarity with the bereaved. Many people who visit the site remain silent, light candles or speak words of sympathy. The supermarket parking lot, which previously symbolized everyday life, has become a place to pause for thought these days. Internet users were also shocked and expressed their sympathy.
Timmy Sarantoudis, the boy’s coach, has also commented on the tragedy. He was the martial arts coach of the 12-year-old who died. He is said to have been a role model child. Always helpful, respectful and friendly. It was also a difficult situation for him. He experienced the whole thing almost first-hand and revealed:
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“I live right over there and witnessed everything last night”
He only found out that the child was one of his protégés during the night. Before that, he had witnessed the large-scale deployment of the emergency services.
The grieving community places candles, flowers and stuffed animals to commemorate the deceased | Source: Getty Images
An interview with a policewoman involved also showed how close such a tragic case is to professional helpers and rescue workers. In an interview , Petra Rutz, the senior detective inspector, was visibly fighting back tears. When asked by a reporter how the boy’s mother was doing, she said:
“Sorry, but how is the mother whose child is run over? Does the question need to be answered?”
But what had happened?