Munich police kill suspect, German minister prioritises protection for Israeli institutions
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In Munich on Thursday, a suspect was shot dead after exchanging fire with police, with Bavaria’s interior minister confirming the death at the scene and German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasising that the protection of Israeli institutions remains a top priority amid the situation.
The Munich police reported that the suspect was armed with an older long gun. In a briefing, they confirmed that the suspect sustained fatal injuries during the shootout, and there are currently no indications of additional suspects involved in the incident, The Guardian reported.
Police spokesperson Andreas Franken noted that officers first spotted the suspect carrying the weapon in the Karolinenplatz area around 9 am. An exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the suspect being seriously wounded.
Five officers were present at the scene during the confrontation, and police responded by deploying additional resources to the area. Following the shooting, the Israeli consul general to southern Germany, Talya Lador, expressed gratitude for the actions of the Munich police.
Notably, the consulate was closed today to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Munich police issued another update confirming that officers had spotted an individual who appeared to be armed. A significant police presence has been established in central Munich, particularly around Brienner Street and Karolinenplatz, with authorities closing off the area to ensure public safety.
Residents and office workers in nearby buildings have been advised to stay indoors as a precautionary measure, while a police helicopter has been deployed to monitor the situation from above.
The police indicated that the incident took place shortly before 10 am when officers fired shots at a suspicious individual in the vicinity of Karolinenplatz. Initial reports suggest that the suspect may have approached the Nazi Documentation Centre while armed, prompting the police officers stationed there to respond.
Local media have drawn parallels between this incident and the tragic events of the 1972 Olympics, as it coincides with the anniversary of the assassination of eleven Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists.
