Teen shot dead after attacking officer outside Israeli embassy in Serbia

An officer was injured and a 17-year-old attacker was shot dead outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, in what authorities described as an attempted terrorist attack. The embassy was closed at the time.

The attack happened at about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday outside the Israeli Embassy on Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević Boulevard, according to Serbian news outlet Novosti.

The suspect, identified by the outlet as 17-year-old Dario Nikolić, allegedly approached a gendarmerie officer guarding the embassy with two knives. Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said the teenager shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he attacked and that the officer opened fire in self-defense, killing him.

The officer suffered a minor cut to his face, Novosti reported. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said no embassy personnel were injured.

Novosti reported that the teenager had previously been known to security services because of his connection to Islamic State ideology.

Serbia’s terrorism threat level has been raised to red, the highest level, following the attack. Police presence has also been increased at key locations across the country.