German authorities report that they have fatally shot a man termed “suspicious,” who was said to have opened fire in the heart of Munich, not far from a museum commemorating the National Socialist era, as well as the Israeli general consulate. The Bavarian interior minister attested that the man was shot dead at the scene amid a gunfight with the police.
Sounds of gunfire were registered post 9 am in the vicinity of Karolinenplatz. The local police verified that the man, armed, was shot by an officer. No other individuals are currently sought in connection with this incident. Central Munich’s surrounding region has been sealed off, and locals, along with office employees, have been advised to stay inside. Additionally, posts on social media have cautioned individuals to steer clear of the area.
Local inhabitants recount a significant operation commencing roughly at 9 am, entailing both special forces and a police helicopter. One local resident shared with the Munich-based Süddeutsche Zeitung that she had heard noises of gunfire, police sirens, and the shouts of “Run! Run!”
The area of Briennerstrasse in central Munich, where the gunfire took place, carries significant historical importance as part of the Bavarian capital. The Nazis viewed the city as the focal point of their movement and established the National Socialist Documentation Centre in 2015. This center is located at the former Nazi party headquarters, colloquially known as the “Brown House”. An entire district with intact Nazi-era buildings once housed party administration.
The notion that the recent shooting connects to the assaults on the Munich Olympics of 1972 is gaining traction in Munich. On this date in 1972, a Palestinian extremist group took hostages at the Israeli team headquarters. The ill-fated rescue effort at a nearby airbase resulted in the loss of 11 Israelis and one German police officer. Today, the documentation center and adjoining consulate are constantly monitored by the police, along with the Israeli security detail.