On September 5, 2024, German police shot and killed an 18-year-old Austrian man with Bosnian roots near the Israeli consulate in Munich, in what authorities are treating as a possible terrorist attack with Islamist motivations. The incident occurred on the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, raising concerns about a potential connection.According to Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, the suspect, armed with a long-barreled gun, ‘fired several times’ at police officers before being neutralized. The man was previously known to security services for suspected ties to the Islamic State (IS) and had been investigated in 2023 for alleged membership in a terrorist organization and distribution of IS propaganda.The shooting took place near both the Israeli consulate and the Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism, prompting a large-scale police response with over 500 officers deployed, including special forces. No consulate staff or police officers were injured in the exchange.German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the incident as ‘serious’ and emphasized that ‘the protection of Jewish and Israeli installations has the highest priority’. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack, stating, ‘Together we are strong in the face of terror’.The incident has led to increased security measures around Jewish and Israeli institutions in Munich and Austria. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the suspect’s exact motives and any potential links to the anniversary of the 1972 Olympics attack.
Key points
- An 18-year-old Austrian man with suspected Islamist ties was killed by German police near the Israeli consulate in Munich.
- The incident occurred on the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, raising concerns about a potential connection.
- German and Israeli officials have condemned the attack and increased security measures around Jewish and Israeli institutions.
Contradictions👾While most sources describe the suspect as an 18-year-old Austrian man, one source initially reported him as Palestinian, which was later corrected in subsequent reports.
