Schwalmtal, Germany - Several people died during a shooting spree related to a marital drama in the western German town of Schwalmtal on Tuesday evening, police said. The perpetrator surrendered after police stormed the house into which he had barricaded himself with six hostages after firing shots into the street. His condition was unknown.
Witnesses reported hearing screams as the police entered the building.
Police had earlier confirmed only one dead and one wounded in the drama, but it turned out that the death toll was much higher.
The police ascribed the deed to marital problems, relating to a divorce case. The perpetrator had begun to shoot as he was visiting the house with a real estate agent.
Officers would not confirm whether a hostage taken during the event was the neighbours' 12-year-old son.
A municipal employee was left seriously injured after visiting the house which was due to be sold, local Welle Niederrhein radio station reported on its website.
Schwalmtal, a town of some 19,000, is located some 20 kilometres east of Germany's border with the Netherlands. The nearest large city is Dusseldorf, some 20 kilometres to the east.
Several emergency doctors and other helpers were at the scene, along with a psychological counsellor.
