Police shoot dead gunman in Munich city centre after suspect opens fire close to Israeli consulate

5 September 2024, 09:13 | Updated: 5 September 2024, 10:12

Police in Munich have shot dead a suspected gunman after shots were fired close to the Israeli consulate in the heart of the city centre.

The incident saw shots fired outside the Nazi Documentation Centre on Thursday morning, with a volley of gunfire ringing out attempted to neutralize the shooter.

Munich police confirmed a large-scale operation was underway in the Briennerstrasse and Karolinenplatz area of the city shortly after 9am local time.

The shooting coincides with the anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack, an event which led to the deaths of eleven Israeli athletes hostage after they were taken hostage by Palestinian extremists.

Police have now set up a perimeter, with a police helicopter deployed during the active incident.

German authorities have confirmed a single shooter has been shot by armed officers at the scene and are yet to provide an update on the shooter's condition.

The centre, known for documenting the history of the Nazi dictatorship, is located near the Israeli consulate general in Munich's Maxvorstadt neighbourhood.

Munich police said on X: "A major operation is currently underway in the area of ​​Briennerstrasse and Karolinenplatz. We have numerous emergency personnel on site. Further information will follow on this channel.

"Many emergency services are on their way to the site of operations in the area of ​​the NS Documentation Center. To ensure that they can work without hindrance, we ask that you avoid this area as much as possible."

"We receive comments containing speculation and misinformation. The best way you can help us is to refrain from doing this and sharing rumors.

"Our colleagues are working at full speed, as soon as we have more confirmed information, we will publish it here. #muc0509"

"The helicopter in the air is on the move in connection with the operation at the NS Documentation Center. With this tool we get a better overview of the current situation from the air."

The police added: "There are currently no indications of any other suspects in connection with the operation. Many forces are on site at the incident site and are clarifying the situation. Further information will follow."

"Due to the current operational situation, we have increased police presence in the city area. However, we have no information about other locations or other suspects."

The incident took place in the Karolinenplatz area, near downtown Munich.

Police said they had increased their presence in the city, which is Germany's third-biggest, but they had no indication of incidents at any other locations or of any other suspects.