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Germany mourns shooting victims Germany mourns shooting victims
(about 3 hours later)
Tens of thousands of people have gathered in the small German town of Winnenden for a memorial service for the 15 victims of a shooting. Tens of thousands of people gathered in the small German town of Winnenden for a memorial service for the 15 victims of a shooting.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Horst Koehler attended the service alongside relatives of the victims.Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Horst Koehler attended the service alongside relatives of the victims.
Tim Kretschmer, 17, killed 12 people at his former school and three others elsewhere on 11 March before taking his own life as police closed in.Tim Kretschmer, 17, killed 12 people at his former school and three others elsewhere on 11 March before taking his own life as police closed in.
The victims' families have appealed for tighter gun control laws.The victims' families have appealed for tighter gun control laws.
About 900 people packed a church in the south-western German town for the service.About 900 people packed a church in the south-western German town for the service.
Thousands more watched a live broadcast on giant screens set up in a local stadium. The memorial was also carried live on national television.Thousands more watched a live broadcast on giant screens set up in a local stadium. The memorial was also carried live on national television.
"Such acts lead us to the limit of comprehension," Mr Koehler said with tears welling in his eyes."Such acts lead us to the limit of comprehension," Mr Koehler said with tears welling in his eyes.
"But so long as we can stick with and help each other, we are not helpless... The whole of Germany is grieving with you.""But so long as we can stick with and help each other, we are not helpless... The whole of Germany is grieving with you."
As the name of each victim was read out, pupils walked to the front of the church to light candles bearing the names of those killed. President Koehler gave an emotional address at the serviceAs the name of each victim was read out, pupils walked to the front of the church to light candles bearing the names of those killed. President Koehler gave an emotional address at the service
In an open letter addressed to Mrs Merkel and Mr Koehler, the families of some of the victims appealed for tighter gun control laws and a ban on violent video games of the type which authorities have said Kretschmer played the night before his shooting rampage.In an open letter addressed to Mrs Merkel and Mr Koehler, the families of some of the victims appealed for tighter gun control laws and a ban on violent video games of the type which authorities have said Kretschmer played the night before his shooting rampage.
"Despite our pain and anger, we can't just do nothing. We want to make sure there is not another Winnenden," the letter said."Despite our pain and anger, we can't just do nothing. We want to make sure there is not another Winnenden," the letter said.
Kretschmer used his father's legally-registered pistol to kill eight schoolgirls, a schoolboy and three teachers at Albertville secondary school in Winnenden.Kretschmer used his father's legally-registered pistol to kill eight schoolgirls, a schoolboy and three teachers at Albertville secondary school in Winnenden.
He then commandeered a car and killed two more people in the town of Wendlingen, 40km (25 miles) away before he shot himself as police approached.He then commandeered a car and killed two more people in the town of Wendlingen, 40km (25 miles) away before he shot himself as police approached.