German Police Fatally Shoot Armed Man Near Nazi Documentation Centre and Israeli Consulate; Israeli President Expresses ‘Horror’
MUNICH, Germany — An armed man was shot and killed by German police in Munich on Thursday after opening fire near the Israeli consulate and a Nazi-era documentation centre, officials said. The incident, which occurred on the anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack, has been described as a “terror attack” by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Gunman ‘shoots at German cops’ near Munich Nazi museum and Israeli consulate building before police return fire and kill suspect on anniversary of 1972 attack on Israeli athletes pic.twitter.com/wbVfucxbWH
— MassiVeMaC (@SchengenStory) September 5, 2024
According to police, the suspect was spotted carrying a long firearm in the area of the consulate and the documentation centre, which are afforded special protection due to their historical significance and high risk of attack. Five officers exchanged gunfire with the man, resulting in his death. There were no indications of any other suspects or injured persons, and a police helicopter circled overhead as cordons were put in place around the nearby Karolinenplatz and Briennerstrasse areas.
🚨 A gunman was shot dead by police after opening fire near the Israeli consulate in Munich.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Thursday when a young white male, wearing a black shirt and red pants, fired shots with an older-style long gun.pic.twitter.com/wEeQ8AFwpb https://t.co/vJjB558r13
— BigBreakingWire (@BigBreakingWire) September 5, 2024
The Israeli consulate was closed at the time of the incident as a memorial ceremony was being held to mark the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack. That attack, carried out by Palestinian militants, resulted in the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes and a police officer.
In a statement, President Herzog expressed his “horror” at the events in Munich, saying:
“On the day our brothers and sisters in Munich were set to stand in remembrance of our brave athletes murdered by terrorists 52 years ago, a [hate-fuelled] terrorist came and once again sought to murder innocent people.”
Herzog added that he had spoken with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and they “shared condemnation and horror at the terror attack.”
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann confirmed the suspect’s death and said the incident was clearly connected to the sensitive nature of the locations involved, though this was still to be confirmed. Local reports indicated that security had been raised at Munich’s main synagogue following the shooting.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser underscored the importance of protecting Jewish and Israeli institutions, saying, “It’s very sad the incident took place in front of the Nazi documentation centre and Israeli general consulate.”
Israeli Consul Talya Lador thanked the police for their response and highlighted the dangers of rising antisemitism. “It shows how dangerous the rise of antisemitism is,” she said.
The area where the shooting took place holds historical significance. The Nazi documentation centre, opened in 2015, was built on the site of the former Nazi party headquarters, known as the “Brown House.” The Israeli consulate moved into the former Nazi party quarter around the same time, and both locations are under constant police watch.
Witnesses described hearing a flurry of gunshots shortly after 9 am local time, and police urged the public to avoid the area and asked those in nearby buildings to remain indoors during the operation.
Benedikt Frank, deputy director and chief executive of the Munich Security Conference, said his office, located next to the documentation centre, had been sealed off by police during the incident. “We heard at least a dozen shots,” he told Bild tabloid.
The motive behind the gunman’s actions remains under investigation, and authorities have not established a direct connection between the incident and the anniversary of the Munich Olympics attack. However, the timing and location of the shooting have raised concerns about the potential targeting of Jewish and Israeli sites.
