Munich shooting, terrorism strikes Germany

A shooting at Munich that killed nine people was conducted by a gunmen who then killed himself, German police said.

The suspect was an 18-year-old German-Iranian dual national who lived in Munich, opened fire in a crowded Munich shopping mall and a nearby McDonald's, the chief of police in the Bavarian capital said on Saturday, but his motive was still "fully unclear".

Sixteen people were injured and three were in critical condition, police added.

Police gave a "cautious all clear" early on Saturday morning, more than seven hours after the attack began and brought much of the city standstill as all the public transport systems has been shut down amid a massive manhunt.

The body of the suspect was found about 1km (0,6 miles) from the Olympia shopping center in the north-western suburb of Mosach, and he appeared to have acted alone.

Munich police chief, Hubertus Andrae, told a news conference that the suspect's body was found about 2 1/2 hours after the attack and was determined to be the shooter based on witness statements and closed circuit television footage of the attack. The shooter was not previously known to police and there was no evidence of any links to terrorist organisations.

Witnesses had reported seeing three men with firearms near the Olympia Einkaufszentrum mall, but the police chief said, two other people who fled the area quickly were investigated but had "nothing to do with the incident".

First report of the shooting came in just before 6pm, local time on Friday. Witnesses said the attacker opened fire on people at a fast food restaurant in Hanauer Street before moving to the nearby Olympia shopping center.

After gunfire broke out at the mall, one of Munich's largest, the city sent a smartphone alert declaring an "emergency situation" and telling people to stay indoors, while all rail, subway and trolley service was halted in the city.

While police initially called the mall shooting an act of terrorism, they said they had "no indication" it involved Islamic extremism and at least one witness said he heard a shooter shout an anti-foreigner slur.

"The question of terrorism or a rampage is tied to motive, and we don't know the motive," Andrae said. "We can't question the suspect, so this is all a little more difficult."

Andrae also said inquiries suggested the suspect had lived in the city for more than two years and is not thought to have been known to law enforcement agencies.

Chief of staff of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Peter Altmaier, told national television, "we can not rule out that it is linked to terrorism, but we can not confirm it either, we are also investigating in this direction."

Police urged the public to avoid speculation on social media and to desist from using photos or video of their deployments online.

German security forces have been on alert since a teenage migrant stabbed and injured five people on a train in Bavaria on Monday, in an attack claimed by so-called islamic state.

The authorities had warned of the danger of further incidents.

Germany's allies rallied to give their support after Friday's attack.

U.S. President, Barrack Obama said, The U.S. would provide "all the support they need in dealing with this situation."

French President, Francois Hollande offered his "sympathy and support to the German people in this difficult hour".

British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said he was "shocked and appalled" by the attack.

"We are ready to assist our friends in Gemany," he added.




source:
The Daily Telegraph