German Police Foil Suspected Terrorist Attack Near Israeli Consulate, Gunman Killed

German police shot and killed a gunman who opened fire near the Israeli consulate in Munich on Thursday, in what authorities described as a foiled “terrorist attack.” The assailant, identified as an 18-year-old Austrian man, was armed with a vintage carbine rifle. Officials declined to confirm media reports that the shooter had been linked to Islamist extremism.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz commended the police for preventing a potential tragedy, stating on X, “Anti-Semitism and Islamism have no place here.”

Reports from Spiegel and Austrian media indicated that the suspect had previously been investigated for allegedly spreading Islamic State propaganda, though the case was dropped.

Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder suggested the attack may be linked to the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, where Palestinian militants killed 11 Israeli athletes.

The shootout took place around 9 a.m. and resulted in a large-scale police response, with 500 officers deployed. Video footage showed heavily armed police engaging the gunman, who died at the scene.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser praised the swift police action, saying it likely prevented a “terrorist act of violence.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog also condemned the attack and thanked German authorities for their decisive response.

The Israeli consulate was closed on Thursday for a planned memorial service for the 1972 attack victims, which was later canceled due to the incident. Munich police confirmed no additional suspects or casualties were involved.