Ten years after the OEZ attack in Munich: 'We no longer believe in anything, not even the police'

Ten years have passed since the Munich OEZ attack, yet the wounds remain fresh for many who were affected by the tragedy. On Wednesday, the tenth anniversary of the right-wing terrorist attack at the Munich Olympic Shopping Center, known locally as the OEZ, was marked with somber reflection. Family members of the victims continue to seek answers, while public trust in institutions has been shaken. The attack, which claimed the lives of nine young people, mostly of migrant origin or perceived to be migrants, left deep scars on the community and raised critical questions about how such violence is addressed. The attack took place on Friday evening, July 22, 2016. At around 5:51 p.m., the first shots rang out near a McDonald's restaurant adjacent to the shopping center. The perpetrator, David S., a 18-year-old German-Iranian, opened fire on six youths sitting together in the first floor of the McDonald's. Five of them died immediately. Outside, he shot two more pedestrians on the Hanauer Street before targeting another person at an electronics store. He then entered the OEZ itself, killing one more victim in the ground floor of the mall. By 6:04 p.m., police spotted him on the parking deck of the shopping center but lost sight of him again. As the city locked down, public transport was halted, buses returned to depots, and residents were urged to stay indoors for safety. David S. managed to escape the premises and hid in a bicycle shed in the neighborhood. When police located him, he shot himself dead at 8:23 p.m. The incident left 10 people dead, including the attacker, and shocked Germany. Despite the scale of the response, nearly 2,500 police officers deployed, the question lingers: How could one individual kill so many? In the aftermath, initial assessments labeled the attack as an isolated act of violence rather than a politically motivated act of terrorism. This interpretation persisted for over three years, during which time the perpetrator's background and motivations were largely overlooked. It wasn't until late 2019 that authorities officially classified the attack as an act of right-wing extremism. The delay in recognition sparked criticism, particularly among families of the victims, who felt their loss had been minimized. Gisela Kollmann, grandmother of Guiliano Kollmann, one of the victims, continues to visit her grandson's grave regularly. She describes him as a passionate football player and rapper, beloved within his family and community. His tombstone features a white angel holding an open book, with the inscription "We are not all rich, but we all bleed the same." These words reflect the final message Guiliano posted online just hours before his death. His story, along with those of the other victims, highlights the tragic consequences of prejudice and hatred. The attack drew widespread attention initially, but over time, public discourse shifted away from examining its roots. Researchers and advocacy groups argue that the failure to recognize the attack as an act of right-wing terrorism early on contributed to a broader underestimation of similar threats. The case has become emblematic of the challenges faced in identifying and responding to far-right violence in Germany. Today, as the tenth anniversary approaches, the families of the victims remain unresolved in their search for clarity. They emphasize the need for greater awareness and systemic change to prevent future tragedies. Their voices echo through the streets of Munich, reminding society that the fight against hate and discrimination is ongoing.