Munich police kill man in shootout near Israeli consulate

An 18-year-old was killed in a shootout with Munich police yesterday (5 September).

Searching his home in Salzburg police say the man, identified as Emrah I, had been known to law enforcement since February 2023 and was investigated for terrorist links and subject to a weapons ban.

Hans Wolfgruber, a spokesperson for Salzburg police, said: "As a result of incidents in 2023, the responsible security authority, the Salzburg district authority, has confirmed the weapons ban, suggested by the police and this would be valid until 2028."

The suspect was spotted by police near the Israeli consulate carrying a firearm, before engaging in a shootout with five local police officers who opened fire. A police spokesperson said the man had a “long-barrelled gun” that proved to be an old rifle.

Authorities believe he was planning an attack on the Israeli Consulate on the anniversary of the attack on the 1972 Munich Olympics but the motive is still being investigated.

Investigators have suggested the shooter might have had connections with the so-called Islamic State group (ISIS) and that this was an attempted terrorist attack.