Gunman kills woman as he holds hostages in German shopping mall

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    One woman has been killed in a hostage situation in Germany as a gunman holds several members of the public hostage at a shopping mall.

    Local reports from German tabloid Bild claim that one woman has been found dead at the scene of the Dresden-based shopping centre, with streets closed following reports of shots being fired.

    An individual who is yet to be named had entered the building and is said to have opened fire inside of the shopping mall according to local media.

    A hostage situation is currently underway, with police urging people to avoid an area in the city centre as well as ordering the closure of the Christmas market nearby.

    Radio Dresden had earlier reported shots being fired at a building near the main train station.

    Members of the public were seen being brought out of the shopping centre and into safety, with police asking residents and tourists to avoid the area.

    The attack is said to have been carried out by a 40-year-old man who broke into the offices of Radio Dresden.

    Radio Dresden boss Tino Utassy told Bild: "Fortunately, all employees were able to get to safety."

    The unnamed gunman is said to have been armed with a pistol and has secured himself inside of a pharmacy based n the city's Altmarktgalerie area.

    German special forces are now on the scene, with confirmation that the Spezialeinsatzkommando are present in the area.

    Motives of the gunman are currently unknown, but the body of a 62-year-old woman was found by emergency services at an apartment in the city.

    Police told Radio Dresden that this woman was the mother of the gunman, and that the hostage holder was linked with her murder.

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