On September 5, 2024, an 18-year-old Austrian launched a violent attack on the Israeli consulate in Munich, using a Swiss Wehrmacht carbine. His actions were initially aimed at the consulate, which was closed due to a memorial for the 1972 Munich Olympics attack victims. Unable to access his primary target, he also fired at the nearby NS Documentation Center.
The attacker, identified as socially isolated and radicalized online, was influenced by anti-Israeli sentiments and Islamist symbols. His radicalization was linked to the Gaza conflict and the influence of extremist ideologies. Despite a legal prohibition on weapon ownership, he managed to purchase a rifle, unbeknownst to the seller of his restrictions.
Investigations revealed that the attacker had shown significant interest in firearms and had left a trail of antisemitic comments online. The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office, with a special commission named 'Karolinenplatz', conducted a thorough investigation involving 100 witnesses. They examined the perpetrator's mobile phone, recovering data despite its damage.
The investigation concluded that the attack was a terrorist act with anti-Israeli motivations, although Islamist influences played a minor role. The shooter was killed in a confrontation with the police. The incident highlighted the dangerous potential of online radicalization and the challenges in monitoring isolated individuals with extremist views. The investigation results were set to be disclosed at a public press conference, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities treated this violent incident.
