Munich shooting: Gunman acted alone, say police

German police say the shooting at a Munich shopping centre which left nine people dead was carried out by one gunman who then killed himself.

The police at a news conference, said the motive behind the shooting is unclear.

The suspect is said to be an 18-year-old German-Iranian dual national who lived in Munich, 

Sixteen people were injured, three critically, police added.

A manhunt has been launched following reports that up to three gunmen had been involved in the attack.

The body of the suspect was found about 1km (0.6 miles) from the Olympia shopping centre in the north-western suburb of Moosach.

Munich police chief, Hubertus Andrae told the news conference early Saturday that the suspect had not been known to police and there were no known links to terror groups, although investigations are still going on.

Mr Andrae also said that children were among the casualties, but gave no further details.

Following the attack, the Bavarian capital's transport system was suspended and the central railway station evacuated. 

Public transport was reopened several hours later when police gave a cautious "all clear".

Thousands of people stranded by the emergency and unable to get home were offered shelter by local residents.

First reports of the shooting came in just before 18:00 (16:00 GMT) on Friday. 

Witnesses said the attacker opened fire on members of the public at a fast-food restaurant in Hanauer Street before moving to the nearby Olympia shopping centre.

Police described it as "an acute terror situation" although officials stressed that the motive was as yet unknown.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, told national TV: "We cannot rule out that it is linked to terrorism but we can't confirm it either, but we are also investigating in this direction."

A meeting of the government's security cabinet will be held on Saturday.

Police urged the public to avoid speculation on social media and to desist from using photos or video of their deployments online.

German security forces have been on alert since a teenage migrant stabbed and injured five people on a train in Bavaria on Monday, in an attack claimed by so-called Islamic State.

The authorities had warned of the danger of further incidents.
 
SOURCE: BBC News