CNN and pretty much every other major news outlet are reporting that a masked gunman who opened fire in a German movie theater earlier today has been killed by police. The attack took place around 3 p.m. local time, when police responded to a report of four shots fired in the theater, part of a large shopping center in Viernheim, in Western Germany near Frankfurt.
Beyond that, details are scarce. Initial reports said 25 people had been injured in the attack, but the BBC reports that no one except for the assailant was injured. Reuters supports the BBC’s report, and quotes a local newspaper as saying the reported injuries were actually the result of exposure to tear gas the police used in their operation. Additionally, The New York Times cites German-language media reports saying that the gunman was carrying a weapon loaded with blank cartridges. Either way, apparently the gunman took several movie-goers hostage in the theater before being shot by police.