Germany: Police Kill Man Who Fired Shots Near Israeli Consulate in Munich

A new event occurred on the anniversary of the tragic hostage-taking of athletes from this country at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Armed Attack in Munich: Man Neutralized Near Israeli Consulate

On Thursday, September 5, 2024, Munich witnessed a violent incident as an armed man opened fire close to the Israeli Consulate General, prompting law enforcement to respond and fatally shoot the assailant.

Unclear Motives Behind the Attack

Israeli President Isaac Herzog labeled the event a “terrorist attack,” while German authorities are cautious, highlighting the need to clarify the “suspect’s motives”. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Hermann reported that the assailant, armed with a long gun and firing multiple shots, might be linked to the consulate’s proximity, a nearby documentation center on Nazism, and the date of the incident, aligning with the anniversary of the tragic 1972 Munich Olympics hostage-taking.

Fatal Retaliatory Shooting

The incident started around 9 AM when law enforcement, monitoring sensitive buildings, spotted and engaged the gunman who had opened fire. The weapon used was reportedly an old model.

As a result of the attack, a memorial ceremony for the victims of the 1972 hostage crisis was canceled in Fürstenfeldbruck, where the Israeli athletes had been murdered.

Tense Atmosphere in Germany

The shooting occurs amidst rising tensions in Germany, which has seen a resurgence of anti-Semitism following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. The country has experienced a spike in anti-Jewish crimes, especially since the onset of the conflict in Gaza.

Hermann confirmed that “no witnesses have indicated any additional perpetrators.” Internal intelligence recorded a record 5164 anti-Semitic offenses in 2023, up from 2641 in 2022.