A shooting at a high school in southern Germany left at least four people seriously injured on Tuesday, triggering a police operation and a suspect to be arrested as investigators worked to find out what motivated the attack.
The incident took place at the Wolfen Gymnasium in the city of Schongau in Upper Bavaria southwest of Munich. The school campus was quickly sealed off, armed officers were sent in and a search was conducted in the area to verify that a suspect was in custody.
Four people were seriously injured in the shooting, according to German media reports, including BILD. It is not known for sure yet whether the victims were students, teachers or other school staff.
Massive Police Response
Emergency services rushed to the school soon after the gunfire erupted. At the scene medical crews treated the injured before taking them to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
The school was put on lockdown and officers secured classrooms, searched the campus and searched the surrounding area to ensure there was no ongoing threat.
Police told residents to stay away from the area and emergency operations were ongoing and no harm to the public was done there, they said.
Probe Into Possible Planned Attack
Investigators said there are initial indications that the shooting might have been a 'planned attack', but said the investigation was still at such an early stage.
The suspect’s motive is under investigation, how the attack was conducted and if anybody else is involved.
According to the official, no identity of the suspect has been released and the weapon that was used in the attack has not been disclosed.
Town in Shock
The shooting has shocked the town of Schongau, home to just over 12,000 residents, where violent crimes of this nature are rare.
Parents gathered near the school as police kept a security cordon up and emergency workers continued to assist students and staff in the aftermath of the incident.
The public should not focus on speculation and should let the investigators finish working, they said.
Investigation Continues
The German police confirmed that the suspect is in custody and there is no immediate danger to the public.
Forensic teams are examining the crime scene, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Officials will give more information, including the names of the victims and motive, once the investigation is done, later in the state police said.
The incident could reignite Germany's discussion of school security and emergency preparations and its investigators will need to establish exactly what happened and why the attack took place.
