Car ramming suspected attack in Munich

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At least 28 people were injured Thursday when a car plowed into a crowd in what German authorities called a "suspected attack," as officials say there are indications the suspect may have "an extremist background."

The incident came the day before a major security conference attended by world leaders was set to begin. Vice President JD Vance is among those due to address the conference.

The U.S. Secret Service told NBC News: "There was no protective impact to the VP but we are monitoring that incident closely and German authorities are still investigating a potential motive."

The car driven by a 24-year-old Afghan struck pedestrians around 10:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. ET) in the city center, and prompted a "major" operation, police said.

Police said an officer fired a shot at the car involved in the incident and the driver of the car was “secured” and arrested. Police said the suspect was slightly injured but did not have a gunshot wound.

Police said the suspect, an asylum-seeker who lives in Munich, was known to authorities for drug and theft incidents.

The Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office and Bavarian Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism has taken over the probe due to “indications of an extremist background,” a police news release said.

Press photos from the scene show the car involved was a white Mini, with personal belongings including shoes, a pair of glasses and a stroller strewn across the road.

In a news conference, Bavaria Gov. Markus Söder confirmed the incident is being treated as a possible attack. Earlier, Munich police said at least two people were seriously injured.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter said that children were among those injured, The Associated Press reported.