The mother of a nine-year-old boy who was tragically killed in a Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany on Friday evening (20 December).
A car drove into crowds at the festive market last week, resulting in the deaths of at least five people, as well as over 200 being injured.
German police have since confirmed that four women were killed in the tragic incident, aged 45, 52, 67 and 75.
A suspect, aged 50, has since been taken into custody and appeared before a judge the day after the attack.
The fifth victim, a boy, has now been named by his family on social media in an emotional tribute written about him.
His mother, Desiree Gleissner, wrote about her late son on Facebook: “Let my little teddy bear fly around the world again… Andre didn’t do anything to anyone… He was only with us on earth for nine years… why you… why. I don’t understand.
“Now you are with grandma and grandpa in heaven. They missed you very much as we miss you here now.
“You will always live on in our hearts… I promise you that.”
Following Andre Gleissner’s sad and untimely death, a GoFundMe was set up to help support his family, with a goal of €8,000 (£6,640) set, though now it currently sits at just over €78,000 (£64,400), as it was reopened at the request of many eager donors.
Local fire brigades also paid tribute to the nine-year-old, as the Schoppenstedt revealed that he was part of the children’s fire brigade in Warle.
They shared: “Our thoughts are with Andrés’ relatives, who we also want to support during this difficult time,” posting a donation appeal, also saying that he ‘left us too soon’.
The Lower Saxony youth fire brigade then followed suit with a message of condolence, writing: “Our condolences go out to his family, his friends and everyone who was close to him.
“We stand by their side in these difficult times and express our deepest sympathy.”
Farnziska Helbich, who is responsible for setting the fundraiser up, wrote that the boy will ‘never be able to unwrap his presents’ that he was looking forward to at Christmas, adding: “Andre leaves a big gap in the hearts of his family, friends and all those who knew him.”
After reopening the page for donations, Andre’s family revealed plans to pass on the majority of their donations to other victims who were affected by the horrific attack.
The suspect is currently being investigated for five counts of suspected murder and 205 counts of suspected attempted murder, said prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens.
