2008 United States Consulate in Istanbul Attack - The Attack

The Attack

All three of the attackers were Turkish nationals, and ethnic Kurds. Armed with pistols and shotguns, the attackers arrived in a car and then got out. One of them quickly opened fire near the main entrance to the compound. Footage from a security camera at the site showed, as the shootout was unfolding, three armed and bearded men emerging from a Ford Focus being used as an unlicensed taxicab, killing a traffic policeman, then running toward a guard post some 50 yards away as other policemen fired back. The vehicle left the scene, but its driver later turned himself in to the authorities; he had no prior connection to the attackers. There were no casualties in the attack apart from the three attackers and three police officers.

Two of the slain police officers were identified as Erdal Oztas, 28, from the village of Karahacik located in Corum Province, and Nedim Calik.

NTV television and Dogan News Agency identified the attackers as Erkan Kargin, 26, and Raif Topcil, 20, from the southeastern city of Bitlis and Bulent Cinar, 23, from the eastern city of Igdir. Police would not confirm their identities, but Interior Minister Besir Atalay said two of the assailants had criminal records. Erkan Kargın terrorist action shotgun used in the 1 and 2 Brand Glock automatic pistols Kadir Ozmen Silivri Istanbul Branch of a bank with a suspect named their 24-month term with a loan obtained from 4,000 YTL has been suggested. Erkan Kargin and Kadir Ozmen weapons used in the action brought at the Diyarbakir province was yet undetermined. Kadir Özmen preparation to participate in the action, but later he abandoned participating in the action specified. Prepared by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office Deputy Prosecutor Fikret Seçen Kadir Ozmen 24-page indictment, become a member of an armed terrorist organization, possession of explosives, become a member of Ergenekon Terrorist Organization, the charges of attempting to overthrow government of the Republic of Turkey on the orders of the prosecutor's office, but Kadir Ozmen was decided to arrest TC The ID number can not be determined for the prosecutor's office and closed the investigation.

In response to the attack, the US temporarily increased security at all of its Turkish diplomatic missions.

The unsuccessful attack showed that the (new) consulate grounds were safe for the American diplomatic staff. The project management for the land acquisition and the construction of the consulate building was headed by Gary S. Lachman while he was working as the New Embassy and Consulate Team Leader at the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations at the U.S. Department of State.