In a statement prior to a memorial service, Merz emphasized the need to defend openness and freedom, asserting that extremist actions aim to divide society. He labeled the incident, which resulted in one fatality and numerous injuries, as an Islamist terrorist attack and vowed to combat the spread of terrorism. However, his remarks faced criticism on social media for failing to explicitly acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community as victims of the attack, with some commentators recalling previous derogatory statements made by Merz regarding homosexuals. Despite the ongoing investigation, Merz planned to attend a dinner in Paderborn, asserting the importance of continuing normal life in the face of terror.