Police Shootout with Armed Man Near Israeli Consulate in Munich

Munich — In a shocking incident Thursday, police in Munich engaged in a shootout with a man near a museum dedicated to the city’s Nazi-era history and the Israeli Consulate. The suspect was wounded during the exchange of gunfire.

Police spokesperson Andreas Franken reported that officers spotted a man carrying a “long gun” in the Karolinenplatz area around 9 a.m. Shortly after, shots were exchanged, resulting in the suspect sustaining serious injuries. Thankfully, no other individuals were reported injured.

The timing of this incident is particularly poignant as it coincides with the 52nd anniversary of the deadly attack on the Israeli delegation at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which claimed the lives of 11 Israeli athletes and a West German police officer, along with five assailants. While the date raises concerns, authorities stated they could not determine if Thursday’s shooting was linked to the earlier tragedy.

Upon investigation, police found no evidence suggesting that other suspects were involved in the incident. Increased police presence was ordered in the vicinity to ensure public safety; thus far, officials have reported no other signs of threats in Munich, Germany’s third-largest city.

At the time of the shooting, five officers were present in the area. Following the incident, additional police were dispatched to maintain security. Franken could not provide further details about the suspect or the weapon he used.

According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the Munich consulate was closed during the shooting as staff attended a memorial event commemorating the Munich Olympics attack; none were harmed in the chaos. The nearby museum also confirmed that all employees were safe.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, during a news conference in Berlin, referred to the shooting as “a serious incident.” She emphasized that she did not wish to jump to conclusions about the motivations behind the gunfire, reiterating the importance of safeguarding Jewish and Israeli facilities.

This shooting occurs amid a troubling rise in antisemitism across Germany and other Western European nations over the past several years. The recent volatility has instigated considerable concern within communities regarding their safety.

As noted by CBS News correspondent Chris Livesay, almost 40% of all antisemitic incidents reported globally in 2023 were recorded in Europe. Notably, incidents surged following the October 7 attack by Hamas, which has consequently heightened tensions in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In Germany alone, reports of antisemitic incidents saw a near doubling last year. In the U.K., reports increased more than twofold, while in France, incidents nearly quadrupled during the same timeframe.

This sharp rise in antisemitism is prompting some Jewish individuals to consider leaving Europe, seeking refuge in Israel despite the ongoing conflict there, reflecting the gravity of the situation.