Suspect dead

Munich: Shots fired in front of NS documentation center

The Munich police report a large-scale operation (picture) near the Nazi Documentation Center.

(Bild: AP/Matthias Schrader)

Several shots were fired in the center of Munich on Thursday morning. The police reported an operation near the Nazi Documentation Center. The Israeli Consulate General is also close to the scene. One suspect is dead.

This was announced by Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann shortly before midday. The identity of the man still needs to be clarified, he said. According to the "Bild" newspaper, the gunman is said to have driven up to the NS Documentation Center and fired a long gun at police posts in front of the building. Apparently there were no other casualties.

Police: "Suspicious person was hit"
"In the Karolinenplatz area, shots were fired by police forces at a suspicious person, the person was hit", the Munich police had previously written on X (formerly Twitter) (see post below).

Shortly before, the police had posted that a major operation was underway in the area of Briennerstraße and Karolinenplatz. "We are on site with numerous emergency services", it said. "Many forces are on their way to the scene in the area of the NS Documentation Center."

Fired at posts in front of the documentation center
According to the "Bild" newspaper, the suspect is said to have driven up to the NS Documentation Center with a long gun. There he is said to have fired at police posts in front of the building. The officers returned fire.

A major police operation was carried out in the area of Briennerstraße and Karolinenplatz.

(Bild: AP/Matthias Schrader)

(Bild: AP/Matthias Schrader)

The background is still unclear. "We are receiving comments with speculation and false information," wrote the police, appealing at the same time: "You can help us the most if you refrain from doing so and do not share rumors." The colleagues are working at full speed. As soon as reliable information is available, this will be communicated.

Police ask people to avoid large areas
So that they can work unhindered, the police are asking people to avoid the area. A helicopter is now also in the air. "This means of deployment gives us a better overview of the current situation from the air," said the police.

The incident occurred on the anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympic bombing, which was carried out by the Palestinian terrorist group "Black September" against the Israeli team.

52nd anniversary of the Olympic bombing
Back then, on September 5, 52 years ago, the terrorists shot two men in the Olympic Village and took nine hostages. Around 18 hours later, a rescue attempt ended with the deaths of the nine Israeli hostages, a policeman and five of the assassins. 

The terrorists wanted to free more than 200 prisoners in Israel as well as the two RAF terrorists Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof.