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Germany stunned by shooting spree Germany stunned by shooting spree
(about 3 hours later)
Germany is in shock after a heavily armed 17-year-old opened fire on pupils and teachers at his former school in a killing spree in which 15 people died.Germany is in shock after a heavily armed 17-year-old opened fire on pupils and teachers at his former school in a killing spree in which 15 people died.
The youth fled the school in Winnenden, south-west Germany, but shot himself dead after being cornered by police.The youth fled the school in Winnenden, south-west Germany, but shot himself dead after being cornered by police.
Chancellor Angela Merkel called the incident "unimaginable" and said it was a day of mourning for the whole nation.Chancellor Angela Merkel called the incident "unimaginable" and said it was a day of mourning for the whole nation.
German schools have suffered several attacks in recent years, but none has seen so many fatalities since 2002. Hundreds of people joined an emotional service at a Winnenden church to remember the victims.
German schools have suffered several attacks in recent years, but Wednesday's was the most deadly since 2002.
See where the school shooting took place See where the school shooting took place
The teenager, named as Tim Kretschmer, entered the Albertville secondary school, north of Stuttgart, at about 0930 (0830 GMT) dressed in black combat gear.The teenager, named as Tim Kretschmer, entered the Albertville secondary school, north of Stuttgart, at about 0930 (0830 GMT) dressed in black combat gear.
Baden-Wuerttemberg Interior Minister Heribert Rech said he then opened fire on a class of 14- and 15-year-olds, aiming at their heads.Baden-Wuerttemberg Interior Minister Heribert Rech said he then opened fire on a class of 14- and 15-year-olds, aiming at their heads.
TIM KRETSCHMER Left Albertville school last year after passing examsOfficials said he was an ordinary pupil who had received good reports from schoolGerman media reported he had begun an apprenticeshipLived in the village of LeutenbachA keen table-tennis player, who aspired to become professional How school shooting unfoldedIn pictures: Germany shootingsAttack raises gun-law questionsBoy was 'arrogant, not aggressive'TIM KRETSCHMER Left Albertville school last year after passing examsOfficials said he was an ordinary pupil who had received good reports from schoolGerman media reported he had begun an apprenticeshipLived in the village of LeutenbachA keen table-tennis player, who aspired to become professional How school shooting unfoldedIn pictures: Germany shootingsAttack raises gun-law questionsBoy was 'arrogant, not aggressive'
Eight girls and one boy were killed, along with three teachers. Seven other children suffered minor injuries.Eight girls and one boy were killed, along with three teachers. Seven other children suffered minor injuries.
Terrified pupils leapt from the school windows to escape.Terrified pupils leapt from the school windows to escape.
A child at the school called the emergency services from a mobile phone, which police said helped them respond quickly and prevent the incident from getting any worse. A student called Celina told the BBC how the gunman had come into her classroom and "just shot everywhere".
Eileen Toraman, a pupil at the school, said she had lost a friend in the tragedy. "I threw myself on the floor and took my friends with me, and then I went to a corner and put a table in front of me, and he came again a second time and shot again," she said.
"I think his leg was broken and he was unable to run away," she said. "We were in panic and in shock."
"Another friend of mine broke her leg because she jumped from the third floor. Another pupil, Eileen Toraman, said one of her friends had been killed while another had broken her leg jumping from a third-floor window.
"I don't understand why this happened. I have no idea what is supposed to happen now.""I don't understand why this happened. I have no idea what is supposed to happen now."
Despite the presence of dozens of police officers, the gunman escaped from the school, killing a passer-by as he fled.Despite the presence of dozens of police officers, the gunman escaped from the school, killing a passer-by as he fled.
'Appalling crime''Appalling crime'
He then hijacked a car, taking its driver hostage, and reached the town of Wendlingen, about 40km (25 miles) away from the school.He then hijacked a car, taking its driver hostage, and reached the town of Wendlingen, about 40km (25 miles) away from the school.
The police believe he arrived in Wendlingen by chance, after the car's driver lost control on a sharp bend and came to a standstill.The police believe he arrived in Wendlingen by chance, after the car's driver lost control on a sharp bend and came to a standstill.
The teenager fled into an industrial estate, where he shot and killed two men at a car showroom.The teenager fled into an industrial estate, where he shot and killed two men at a car showroom.
GERMAN SCHOOL ATTACKS 2006: A former pupil injures 11 students at a school in western town of Emsdetten before turning the gun on himself. 2002: A former pupil kills 17 people in his school in the eastern city of Erfurt, then kills himself. Timeline of school shootingsGERMAN SCHOOL ATTACKS 2006: A former pupil injures 11 students at a school in western town of Emsdetten before turning the gun on himself. 2002: A former pupil kills 17 people in his school in the eastern city of Erfurt, then kills himself. Timeline of school shootings
In a press briefing, Mr Rech said officers arrived at the showroom and traded gunfire with the teenager, hitting him in the leg.In a press briefing, Mr Rech said officers arrived at the showroom and traded gunfire with the teenager, hitting him in the leg.
"He fell down, but he got up and managed to load his gun. A little later he was found dead," said Mr Rech."He fell down, but he got up and managed to load his gun. A little later he was found dead," said Mr Rech.
A police spokesman said all their investigations "hint at him having killed himself". He had fled from officers into a dead-end street, where police found him apparently with a gun-shot wound in the head.
In a brief statement, Mrs Merkel described it as an "appalling crime".
"It is unimaginable that in just seconds, pupils and teachers were killed. This is a day of mourning for the whole of Germany," she said.
Local media reported that police had raided the suspect's house and recovered 16 weapons.Local media reported that police had raided the suspect's house and recovered 16 weapons.
The teenager's father, thought to be a prominent businessman in the area, was reported to be a member of a local shooting club.The teenager's father, thought to be a prominent businessman in the area, was reported to be a member of a local shooting club.
Eckehard Weiss, who coached Tim Kretschmer at table-tennis, told the BBC that he had been a relatively normal boy.Eckehard Weiss, who coached Tim Kretschmer at table-tennis, told the BBC that he had been a relatively normal boy.
Mr Weiss said he had wanted to be a professional table-tennis player and had even played a match last weekend.Mr Weiss said he had wanted to be a professional table-tennis player and had even played a match last weekend.
In a brief statement, Mrs Merkel described the shootings as an "appalling crime".
"It is unimaginable that in just seconds, pupils and teachers were killed. This is a day of mourning for the whole of Germany," she said.
Germany suffered its worst-ever school-shooting in 2002 when a former pupil at a school in the eastern city of Erfurt killed 14 teachers, two pupils and a police officer.
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