Munich police kill gunman in exchange of fire near Israeli Consulate
PBS NewsHourAUG 20 2024
German police shot and killed a gunman in Munich on Thursday, in an exchange of gunfire close to the Israeli consulate.
The suspect, identified by authorities as an 18-year-old Austrian national, was armed with a vintage hunting rifle. He was shot in Karolinenplatz, a square close to the Israeli consulate and a Nazi documentation center, both of which are considered to be at high risk of being attacked and given special security protections.
Bavarian state police believe the man was planning a terrorist attack to target the consulate, which was empty at the time due to a memorial taking place for the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre.
With this incident occurring on the 52nd anniversary of the Munich Olympics massacre and in very close proximity to the Israeli embassy, it is obvious that this terrorist planned to stage some sort of anti-Israeli attack. Israeli institutions as well as Jewish institutions in Germany have faced increased threats since Oct. 7, and more must be done to protect them.