Berlin – Alex was 20 years old and worked in a gas station in Idar-Oberstein, a part-time job. He was a student and according to newspaper reports he had many friends. On Saturday evening, Alex was murdered by a targeted shot in the head while at work.
On Monday the course of events and the motive became known, the perpetrator confessed. With the murder, he wanted to express his frustration with the measures to contain the corona pandemic. He wanted to set a “sign”. As an outlet for his aggression, he chose to use a revolver. He took someone’s life.
In social science there is a methodological concept called framing. It is useful for determining how formulations influence the interpretation of a state of affairs. A common headline these days read: “Murdered for wearing a mask”.
The mask is the enemy of the ideological conspiracy scene
Since then, many reports revolve around the convictions and activities of the perpetrator. His rejection of the corona measures and his doubts about the existence of the disease seem to be only a small part of a worldview that could be inserted into the picture of an increasingly violent scene of “lateral thinking” and conspiracy myths in a frighteningly coherent way. Neighbors describe him in reports as aggressive and misogynistic, according to the FAZ there are posts on his Twitter profile that rail against climate activism, immigration and public broadcasting. One post says “I am a racist”. He did not have a gun license, but apparently had guns at home.
Since the connections between the perpetrator and the “lateral thinking” scene have been publicly discussed, guests have also positioned themselves on talk shows and posts in digital networks: statements from politicians, tweets and video messages are circulating under relevant hashtags. They are #Alex or #Mord and # Isar-Oberstein.
But in connection with the murder of Alex there are also posts with the hashtag #Maskenpflicht. The researcher Pia Lamberty pointed out in an interview with the daily newspaper that the mask in the conspiracy ideological and right-wing extremist scene has long had the status of an enemy.
Friedrich Merz (CDU) used the opportunity in Sandra Maischberger’s talk show on Wednesday evening to set an example in his favor. He found the “lateral thinking” scene “unsympathetic”, said Merz. And then: “But I can also understand that normal people have the feeling that the restrictions are a little too intense.” While still on the show, Merz expressed doubts as to whether “with wearing a mask” should continue to be like this. In a later post on Twitter, Merz used the hashtag #Maskenpflicht on this topic.
Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner (CDU) explains the murder in a video like this: “Why? Because there were different perspectives on the Corona rules. ”Different perspectives. Murdered “because of” wearing a mask? Klöckner is also copying the narrative that this is about a difference of opinion on hygiene measures.
In direct connection with the murder, the WDR consulted a sociologist who, in an article on dealing with mask refusers, recommends: “Smile, be nice and say it politely.” For their own protection, however, employees should not engage in a discussion. The physical attacks in connection with the measures are increasing. Now should cashiers and bus drivers be friendlier?
The result of such narratives is a shift from the real thing – the murder of a person – to a questioning of the Corona measures. Also on the show at Maischberger, Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil, who was “horrified” at Merz’s statement, referred to the fact that “a person died who did nothing wrong”. The SPD politician said it was not the time to understand those who doubted the Corona policy.
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