Munich police are searching for at least one shooter after a man opened fire at a shopping mall in the southern German city Friday.
Authorities said six people died in the attack, but the number of casualties could climb as several more were reported as injured. The Bavarian Interior Ministry told news agency NTV that more than one perpetrator was involved. Though the motive behind the attack is unclear, terrorism is suspected.
[1/1] Unknown number of injured victims – sadly there are six fatal casualties #gunfire #munich
— Polizei München (@PolizeiMuenchen) July 22, 2016
The shooting started around 6 p.m. local time at a McDonald’s in the Olympia mall in the city center. Police also received reports from witnesses of three gunmen in the area around the mall and urged people to say in their homes and avoid public areas. Locals began using the hashtag #offentür on Twitter, offering safe space to anyone who needed it.
“For your own safety, avoid squares and streets: perpetrators are on the run. Train and bus transport suspended. Turn radio and TV on,” authorities urged.
Please avoid public areas in #Munich right now. #gunfire
— Polizei München (@PolizeiMuenchen) July 22, 2016
United State President Barack Obama said, “We don’t yet know exactly what’s happening here, but obviously our hearts go out to those who may have been injured. We are going to pledge all the support that they may need.”
The news followed an axe attack on a German commuter train last week. Police fatally shot the teenage attacker—an Afghan asylum seeker—after he wounded four passengers from Hong Kong as well as a local resident. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the incident.
Munich police said there was no indication that ISIS was involved in Friday’s attack.
Pres. Obama on Munich shooting: “We are going to pledge all the support that they may need” https://t.co/YYYoJ4XiOf https://t.co/2mJckUcPYe
— CNN (@CNN) July 22, 2016