German police kill man who 'fired at officers' near Israeli consulate
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A man carrying a "long weapon" fired at police near the Israeli consulate in Munich before he was killed at the scene.
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Police officers stand guard after police fired shots at a suspicious person near the Israeli Consulate and a museum in Munich, Germany, Thursday, September 5, 2024. (AP)
A man armed with a "long" weapon was shot and killed by police on Thursday after approaching the Israeli consulate and firing at officers at around 9 am local time, with witnesses reporting a flurry of gunshots in the area.
According to a police spokesperson, the suspect was killed in an exchange of fire involving five police officers. There were no other suspects involved, and no further injuries were reported.
The Israeli consulate, located near the Nazi Documentation Center, is under constant police surveillance. However, security had been heightened due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza in light of the solidarity with Palestine.
The consulate was closed at the time of the shooting, with no staff present, as many were commemorating the 1972 Munich Olympics, in which 11 Israeli athletes were killed.
Local media noted the timing but police made no immediate connection between the shooting and the anniversary.
Ronen Steinke, a journalist with the Munich-based Süddeutsche Zeitung, shared mobile phone footage of the shooting on social media, which he recorded from his nearby office.
Schüsse vor dem israelischen Generalkonsulat in München. Das NS-Dokuzentrum ist direkt nebenan. pic.twitter.com/k1r819o9Rj
— Ronen Steinke (@RonenSteinke) September 5, 2024
Police sealed off the area around Karolinenplatz and advised the public to avoid the vicinity. Residents and office workers were told to remain indoors as a police helicopter patrolled overhead.
Benedikt Frank, deputy director of the Munich Security Conference, whose office is close to the scene, reported being locked inside. He described hearing at least a dozen gunshots and noted the heavy presence of emergency personnel.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with no immediate link to the ongoing war on Gaza and the ongoing support from Germany for the Israeli occupation being established.
