Was Friday’s Munich massacre terrorism, or just one demented young man’s attempt at getting revenge?
When 18-year old Ali Sonboly opened fire at customers in a McDonald’s in Munich, killing nine, the young man’s Iranian background led many to the conclusion the incident was yet another case of Islamic terrorism. Following the recent spate of terror attacks in Europe, including the Bastille Day attack in southern France which left at least 85 dead and dozens more wounded, fears over ISIS-inspired terror attacks have surged.
But Munich police have since downplayed suspicions the shooting, which left 9 dead and 27 wounded. Authorities reject the claim that this was an act of Islamic terror, noting that there are no links tying Sonboly to ISIS.
Police added that Sonboly, who is believed to have committed suicide at the end of his shooting spree, was a depressed, anti-social, loner and may have been the victim of bullying. Sonboly was receiving psychiatric treatment for months prior to the attack, police said.
Posting on Facebook under a pseudonym, Sonboly lured his victims to a local McDonald’s with the promise of free food.
Armed with a Glock 9mm pistol, Sonboly is believed to have targeted individuals of Turkish or Arabic background. Most of the victims in the massacre were teenagers, and most were Muslim, including several of Turkish descent.
Investigators say Sonboly displayed an interest in mass shootings, glorifying Anders Breivik, who killed 77 in Norway in 2011, and possessed material relating to 2009 school shooting in Germany.
Neighbors say Sonboly had made threats prior to the killings, with statements such as “I will kill you all”.
In recordings of the incident, Sonboly can be heard responding to insults attacking him as a foreigner, saying “I am a German.”