Hamburg, Germany, officials said a man armed with an ax who threatened police officers launched a large-scale operation in the center of Hamburg.
Police said they shot and wounded the man, who is currently being treated.
According to media reports, the incident occurred near the Dutch football team fan zone.
It is not thought to be related to the match between the Netherlands and Poland, which takes place in Hamburg on Sunday as part of the Euro 2024 tournament.
An initial police statement said a man threatened officers with a pickaxe and an “incendive device.”
Later, a Hamburg police spokesman told the BBC that the suspect, armed with a pickaxe, tried to light a petrol bomb, but police responded with pepper spray and then shot him dead.
He received first aid at the scene and was taken to hospital.
“We are assuming this is an isolated case, meaning it has nothing to do with football,” police spokesperson Sandra Levgruen told reporters.
It is understood that the incident occurred at around 12:30 local time (10:30 GMT).
Video posted online showed a man brandishing an ax in front of police before a series of suspected gunshots were heard.
Police have not identified the man and authorities have not commented on the motive behind the incident.
Rory Smith, chief football correspondent for The New York Times in Hamburg, said the incident occurred on the Reeperbahn, a main street and nightlife district in the city, just a few hundred meters away from the Dutch fan zone.
BBC Sports reporter Gary Ross, also in Hamburg, said preparations for the game are proceeding as planned and the game will start at 15:00 local time.
The stadium is about five miles from the city center where the incident occurred.
There are approximately 30,000 Dutch fans in the city and probably a similar number of Polish fans. The atmosphere before the game seemed good and didn’t seem to be affected by the incident.
