German cashier shooting linked to Covid-19 conspiracies

A man suspected of shooting dead a cashier at a German petrol station has been linked to Covid-19 conspiracy theorists and the far right.

The 20-year-old student employee was shot after a row over face masks, in what is thought to be the first killing linked to German Covid rules.

Researchers believe the suspect, named only as Mario N, was a far-right supporter and Covid-denier.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has condemned the "heinous" killing.

Prosecutors said the killer had initially tried to buy beer at the petrol station in the western town of Idar-Oberstein on Saturday, but left after the cashier refused to serve him as he was without a mask.

An hour and a half later the man came back, this time wearing a mask. He got into another argument, pulled down his mask and shot the cashier in the head.

The 49-year-old suspect handed himself in to police on Sunday. The victim has not been named.

The shooting, which came days before Germans are due to vote in parliamentary elections on Sunday, has prompted widespread shock and condemnation.