MUNICH, Germany, July 22 (UPI) — German authorities are searching for at least one, but possibly multiple gunmen after a deadly attack Friday afternoon at a retail shopping center in Munich, officials said.
Gunfire began at the Olympia-Einkaufszentrum mall around 6 p.m. local time Friday. Police were unsure initially how many people were killed and how many were injured, but officials said there were multiple casualties.
Late Friday, Munich police stated on its social media profiles that at least nine people were killed and several others were injured. Police also linked to a Facebook Safety Check for people in the area to inform others that they are safe.
Officials are also investigating reports of shootings at multiple locations in what they said is a suspected terrorist attack.
“At the moment, we have not been able to arrest any perpetrators. The manhunt is underway at high speed,” one police official said. “Because of the unclear situation we ask all people in the city area to stay at home or to look for protection in any nearby building. The operation of public transportation service has been stopped.”
Video: CBS NewsMunich police said in a news release late Friday that witnesses reported seeing three gunmen near the mall immediately prior to the shooting, ABC News reported.
Authorities and witnesses said the shooting began in a fast food restaurant inside the mall, leading police to evacuate the entire complex. Metro rail service was also interrupted due to the manhunt.
President Barack Obama acknowledged the incident Friday afternoon.
“Our hearts go out to those who may have been injured,” he said at a news conference. “Germany is one of our closest allies. We are going to pledge all the support they may need.”
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and GOP nominee Donald Trumpeach posted similar messages online. Clinton called the attack “horrific” and Trump said, “this cannot continue.”
The Olympia-Einkaufszentrum mall is less than 2 miles from the 1972 Munich Summer Olympic Village, where terrorists kidnapped and killed 11 Israeli athletes in a bloody 20-hour siege that made international headlines and threatened to derail the global sporting event.
Monitoring the horrific situation in Munich. We stand with our friends in Germany as they work to bring those responsible to justice. -H
Hillary Clinton/Twitter Donald Trump/Facebook
