(Newswire.net — July 23, 2016) —The attack started at a Mcdonald’s restaurant at approximately 6pm and continued on to the nearby Olympia Einkaufszentrum shopping mall. The attackers entered the mall and randomly shot at people, injuring many, say witnesses, he then fled towards the train station.
According to CNN, a witness said that the attackers were masked and dressed in black.
On Saturday morning, the head of the Munich police, Hubertus Andrae, said that an unidentified 18 year old of Iranian-German origin, was found dead near the Olympia shopping center. Based on security camera footage, and eyewitness statements, police have concluded that it was the gunman.
Police have not announced the identity of the teenage gunman, but they did announce that his motives are not clear, and that he was not previously known to the police.
All metro stations had been closed on Friday evening, public transport had been shut-down as well, and the streets were empty. Restaurants, and cafes closed, and all theatre performances and cinema showings canceled. People were being advised to avoid public areas.
German media first reported different information about the number of victims, but police have confirmed nine dead, and more than a 20 wounded, among them are two children.
A worker at the Olympia mall explained that he heard a lot of shooting and then saw people running to the store and a person lying on the ground with serious injuries that could not be survived.
This is the second attack in Germany in less than a week. On Monday, July 18th, a 17 year-old with a knife and ax attacked passengers on a train in Germany.
The Islamic State extremist organization claimed responsibility for the attack, but German authorities have stated that the attacker very likely acted alone.
The motives of this latest attack on Friday afternoon are not known. Nobody has claimed responsibility.
US president Barack Obama pledged support for Germany and added that they don’t yet know exactly what’s happening there, but obviously their hearts go out to those who may have been injured.