LONDON — Munich police shot a “suspicious person” in the Karolinenplatz area of the southern German city on Thursday morning, authorities said, adding they had launched a “major operation.”
“Police officers spotted a person who appeared to be carrying a firearm,” Munich’s police force said in an initial statement on social media. “The emergency services used their service weapons and the person was hit and injured.”
“The weapon used by the suspect is an older long gun,” a later police update clarified. “The suspect was fatally injured in the shootout. There are still no indications of further suspects or other injured persons.”
Police officers block a street after police fired shots at a suspicious person near the Israeli Consulate and a museum on the city’s Nazi-era history in Munich, Germany, Sept. 5, 2024.
Matthias Schrader/AP
The area was cordoned off, with a helicopter in the air above the scene, the force said.
The shooting occurred next to the city’s Nazi Documentation Center, police said.
“Many emergency services are on their way to the site of operations,” the force noted. “We ask that you avoid this area as much as possible.”
Police vehicles parked in Munich near the Nazi Documentation Center and the Israeli Consulate General in Munich, Germany, Sept. 5, 2024.
Simon Sachseder/AP
The Nazi Documentation Center is one of the city’s most popular museums, located midway between the famous Karolinenplatz and Königsplatz squares just northwest of the medieval old town. It is less than 500 feet from the Israeli Consulate.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that there had been a “shooting incident” close to the consulate, noting that the facility was closed on Thursday coinciding with the anniversary of the deadly terror attack at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
Police officers patrol near a scene after police fired shots at a suspicious person near the Israeli Consulate and a museum on the city’s Nazi-era history in Munich, Germany, Sept. 5, 2024.
Matthias Schrader/AP
“No one from the consulate staff was injured in the incident,” the ministry’s spokesperson said. “The shooter was neutralized by the German security forces and the incident is under their care.”
ABC News’ Joe Simonetti, Victoria Beaule and Dana Savir contributed to this report.
On Friday, Munich police were forced to take drastic action as they fatally shot a gunman during a large-scale operation in the city center. The incident unfolded in the bustling streets of Munich, sending shockwaves through the community and raising concerns about public safety.
The gunman, who has not been identified, was reportedly armed with a weapon and had been causing chaos in the city center. Police responded swiftly to the situation, deploying a significant number of officers to the scene in an effort to contain the threat and protect civilians.
Eyewitnesses described a tense and chaotic scene as police worked to apprehend the gunman. The sound of gunshots echoed through the streets, sending bystanders running for cover and causing panic among residents and tourists alike.
In a statement following the incident, Munich police confirmed that the gunman had been shot and killed by officers. The decision to use lethal force was made in order to neutralize the threat and prevent further harm to innocent bystanders.
The incident has sparked debate about the use of lethal force by law enforcement in high-pressure situations. While some have praised the quick actions of the police in bringing the situation under control, others have raised concerns about the potential for excessive force and the need for greater transparency in police operations.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensure that proper protocols were followed. The outcome of the investigation will be crucial in determining whether the use of lethal force was justified in this case.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining public safety in today’s world. As threats continue to evolve and become more complex, police officers are often forced to make split-second decisions that can have life-altering consequences.
As the community in Munich grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, it is important for authorities to provide clear and transparent communication about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. This will help to build trust and confidence among residents and ensure that similar incidents are handled with the utmost professionalism and care in the future.
In the meantime, our thoughts are with the victims of this senseless act of violence and their families. May they find comfort and healing in the days ahead as they come to terms with this tragic event.
