Gunman Killed by Police Near Israeli Consulate on Anniversary of Munich Olympics Massacre

Social Media · September 6

German police fatally shot an armed man on Thursday morning after he opened fire near the Israeli Consulate and a Nazi Documentation Center in central Munich. The incident took place on the anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, adding a layer of historical poignancy to the day's events.

The shooter near the Israeli consulate in Munich today was using a WWII Nazi manufactured rifle. He was known to the Austrian authorities as an 18 year-old Islamist from Bosnia. He opened fire at a memorial for the victims of the Nazis and was neutralized by the police. https://t.co/egfZiSWSMX pic.twitter.com/wNu30DW1m4
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) September 5, 2024

The shooter, identified as an 18-year-old Austrian residing in Austria, was suspected of attempting a terrorist attack with potential connections to the Israeli Consulate. However, authorities have not yet confirmed a definitive motive behind the attack. "Authorities assume that the shooter... attempted a terrorist attack 'with a connection to the Consulate General of the State of Israel,'" the police stated on Thursday afternoon.

Police swiftly responded to the threat, urging residents to avoid the area around Karolinenplatz due to the large-scale police operation. Despite the gravity of the situation, there were no indications that other suspects were involved. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann commented on the incident, stating, "Officers responded with the appropriate weapons to the perpetrator, who was carrying a long gun and had fired a series of shots." The weapon was later identified as an "older carbine" with a bayonet attached.

Video footage circulating on social media corroborated the police's description of the gunman, who appeared to be carrying the weapon in question. Munich police spokesman Andreas Franken confirmed that five officers were involved in the shootout. "Officers spotted a person who appeared to be carrying a firearm," police shared on X (formerly Twitter). A police helicopter was also deployed to "get a better overview of the current situation from the air." Authorities also discovered a parked car belonging to the shooter near the scene.

Man who shot at the Munich Israeli Embassy on the anniversary of 1972 Olympics attack identified as Emrah I, an Austrian-born Bosnian, by German outlet BILD

Austrian authorities found Islamist propaganda on his phone in 2023

He has been shot by policepic.twitter.com/PXruUAE1m4 pic.twitter.com/1Sv4kEpEuT
— Connor Tomlinson (@Con_Tomlinson) September 5, 2024

The timing of the incident, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, was deeply symbolic. During the 1972 Summer Games, eight members of the Palestinian militant group Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village, killing two members of the Israeli Olympic team and taking nine others hostage. The hostages were later killed during a failed rescue attempt, along with a police officer.

In the wake of the shooting, Talya Lador, the Israeli consul general in Munich, expressed gratitude for the swift actions of the police. "This event shows how dangerous the rise of antisemitism is," Lador wrote in a statement on X. "It is important that the general public raises its voice against it." She noted that the Consulate General was closed for the day to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 attack.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also reacted to the incident, speaking with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier shortly after the shooting. "Both heads of state expressed our joint condemnation and horror," Herzog shared on X.

As a result of the attack, the annual memorial event at Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base for the victims of the 1972 massacre was canceled just before it was scheduled to begin. Additionally, security measures were heightened at Munich’s Ohel Jakob Synagogue, located less than a mile from the scene. The Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that patrol cars were stationed at the entrance, and officers armed with submachine guns surrounded the building.

Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder reflected on the tense day, stating, "Munich held its breath for a moment today." He extended his thanks to the police for their "prudent, quick behavior," as well as to the residents who promptly alerted authorities. "Their cooperation was the reason that nothing worse happened," Söder remarked, affirming a "promise of protection for Jewish fellow citizens."

Credit: W.P. 2024-09-06

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JeffersLos · September 6

Looks more like a time traveler from The Somme than a Muslim terrorist.

JonnyF · September 6

3 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder reflected on the tense day, stating, "Munich held its breath for a moment today." He extended his thanks to the police for their "prudent, quick behavior," as well as to the residents who promptly alerted authorities. "Their cooperation was the reason that nothing worse happened," Söder remarked, affirming a "promise of protection for Jewish fellow citizens."

Well said Sir. Well said.