3 injured in shooting at Zurich Islamic center
Three people were injured in a shooting at an Islamic center in downtown Zurich on Monday.
A male suspect entered the center’s prayer room, often used as a mosque, at around 5:30pm local time and opened fire. Three men aged 30, 35 and 56 were injured in the attack, according to police.
SWITZERLAND - Shooting at Islamic Centre in Zurich leaves three injured https://t.co/D97NumSvHipic.twitter.com/Ya8HyYO7sZ
— Voice of Europe (@V_of_Europe) December 19, 2016
The suspect fled the scene near the main train station in Switzerland’s financial capital and remains on the run. Police have sealed off the surrounding area as they conduct a “major search” for the assailant.
The suspect was described by police as a man of "about 30 years" who was wearing dark clothing and a dark wool cap.
Nach der #Schiesserei an der #Eisgasse suchen wir einen ca. 30-jährigen Mann. Er trug dunkle Kleidung, sowie eine dunkle Wollmütze. ^wi
— Stadtpolizei Zürich (@StadtpolizeiZH) December 19, 2016
A short time after the attack a man’s body was found in Gessnerallee, an area "close" to the scene.
Nähe Tatort #Zurich - Leiche gefunden, Polizei sichert Stelle, Hintergründe unklar pic.twitter.com/ww1z56MiQ0
— Raphael Rauch (@raphael_rauch) December 19, 2016
Zurich police say they are investigating if the body has any connection to the mosque attack.
An der #Gessnerallee wurde ein Toter gefunden. Polizeiliche Abklärungen zum Toten laufen parallel zur #Schiesserei auf Hochtouren. ^wi
— Stadtpolizei Zürich (@StadtpolizeiZH) December 19, 2016
It’s not yet known if the Islamic center was the target of the shooting or if there were any terrorist motives behind the attack.
Am Tatort in #Zurich Muslim aus Somalia berichtet: zweiter Imam unter den Verletzten, letztes Gebet war um 16.43 Uhr - Notruf um 17.31 pic.twitter.com/Om5E3AZliW
— Raphael Rauch (@raphael_rauch) December 19, 2016
