Live: Hamburg church mass shooting – At least 7 dead, more injured

At least seven people have been killed and several others injured in a mass shooting at a Jehovah’s Witness church in the German city of Hamburg.

Seven people were reportedly seriously injured while 17 others suffered minor injuries.

According to local police, the gunman was among the many dead found in the building.

A police spokesman said, “We have no indication of a perpetrator fleeing,” instead that investigators have “indications that a perpetrator may be in the building and may be among the dead.”

Two eyewitnesses interviewed on N-TV television, who were not named, said they heard 12 shots.

Police said on Twitter that a major operation was underway in the Alsterdorf district of the city.

Officers were informed of the shooting just after 9:15 p.m. local time and immediately rushed to the scene. After officers arrived, they heard shots fired from the top floor.

The police had no information about the incident that was going on in the building when the shooting took place. He had no immediate information about a possible motive.

Hamburg police said: “According to preliminary findings, a shot was fired at a church on Delboj street in the Großborstel district.

“Several people were seriously injured, some fatally. We are at the site with a large contingent of force.

“So far, there is no reliable information about the motive for the crime.”

The church is understood to have been hosting an event which started at 7pm local time, two hours before the shooting began.

Hamburg mayor Peter Chantscher said the initial reports from the scene were “shocking”.

“My deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

“Emergency services are working in full swing to track down the perpetrators and clear the background.”

An emergency alert sent to people in the area said the shooting occurred at a church at around 9:15 p.m. local time.

“One or more unidentified assailants fired at people in a church,” it said.

Local people were asked to stay away from the area.

The area is a few kilometers north of the downtown area of ​​Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city.

– Additional reporting: AP