31. January 2022

Sympathy and Solidarity Sympathy and Solidarity

University of Bonn Flags at Half-Staff on Monday

The flags in front of the University of Bonn’s main building have been lowered to half-staff today to mark the memorial service being held at the Heidelberg University. The universities that make up the German U15 alliance—of which the University of Bonn is also a member—are today united in grief and solidarity with Heidelberg University and are flying their flags at half-staff as a sign of their sympathy.

Like outside the University of Bonn’s main building, many other universities have today lowered their flags to half-staff to remember the student who was killed and the others who were injured and to mourn in solidarity with Heidelberg University. © Photo: Gregor Hübl/Uni Bonn

The U15 universities are standing shoulder to shoulder with everyone affected by the fatal shooting, with the students and staff at the university and with the people of the city of Heidelberg.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael Hoch, Rector of the University of Bonn, says: “We followed news of the horrific attack in Heidelberg with deep consternation and are lowering the flags outside our main building today as a mark of our sympathy. As they have been throughout, our thoughts on this memorial service day continue to be with the families of the victim, the students and all members of the university, to whom we feel a strong connection at this difficult time.”

A week ago, an 18-year-old student shot dead another student and injured three others inside a lecture hall at Heidelberg University, before killing himself outside the building.