News

16 dead in south Germany shooting spree

Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:22

A teenage gunman dressed in black combat gear went on a shooting spree at his former school in southern Germany before being shot dead by police.

The 17-year-old gunman, named as Tim Kretschmer, killed nine students and three teachers at the Albertville-Realschule in Winnenden near Stuttgart.

Police confirmed that the gunman killed another person at a nearby clinic after he had fled the school.

During a shoot-out with police, two additional passers-by were killed and two policemen seriously injured, bringing the total death toll to 16, including the gunman.

The police spokesperson also said several other people were injured at the school.

The incident began at about 9.30am (8.30am Irish time), when Tim Kretschmer, dressed in black combat clothing, entered the school with a gun and started shooting.

He then fled toward the centre of the old town.

Armed commandos with helicopters and dogs launched a massive hunt for the 17-year-old and he was later killed in a fire-fight with police.

German media reports had said he shot himself dead in the car park of a nearby shopping centre after kidnapping a man and his Volkswagen Sharan car and driving through a police barrier toward the motorway.

The Bild daily said on its website that police commandos had stormed the home of the teenager's parents, where 18 weapons were legally held.

It was not immediately clear whether the gunman used any of these weapons in his attack.

The school, part of a complex housing more than 1,000 students, was evacuated.

The German government said it was 'deeply shocked' by the events in Baden-Wuerttemberg.