ISTANBUL - The chief judge in Istanbul has said that evidences in the shootout outside the U.S. consulate general in Istanbul pointed to an act of terror.
Aykut Cengiz Engin told reporters after examining the scene of the attack, "a vehicle carrying 4 people came to the scene at around 10:30 in the morning. Three of the assailants got out of the car and fired at police officer standing sentry in front of the U.S. consulate. An armed clash erupted as the police officer together with two others patrolling in the neighborhood responded the fire. Three assailants who got out of the car were killed. One policeman died in the scene while two others succumbed to their injuries in hospital."
"According to preliminary reports, assailants aged between 25-30 had guns and shotguns. They could not be identified yet. The fourth attacker managed to flee from the scene. On the other hand, modus operandi, nature and characteristics of the attack show that it was an act of terror," he said.
Three police officers and three attackers died in the shooting outside the U.S. consulate in Istanbul. Two people including a policeman and a security vehicle driver were slightly wounded in the attack.
(UK-MS)
(GEN)