German official killed, another injured during firearms inspection

A local government employee was shot dead and another seriously injured during a routine firearms inspection in southern Germany on Thursday, police said.

The two employees of the Neumarkt district administration had been carrying out an inspection of a gun owner in the town of Berngau in Bavaria when the man opened fire, hitting both officials.

The gunman then barricaded himself inside a residential building, prompting a major police operation involving special forces.

Police surrounded the building and called in a heavily armed tactical unit, which arrived with an armoured vehicle. Police helicopters were also deployed.

The operation was continuing on Thursday evening.

A police spokesman said the suspect had retreated into the building and officers were attempting to reach him. Such operations could take considerable time due to tactical considerations, he added.

Police urged residents to remain inside their homes or at least avoid the cordoned off area around the suspect’s property.

Several emergency calls reporting gunfire were received by police and rescue services at around 2pm local time.

The deceased government employee was recovered from outside the building, police said.

Authorities did not say whether anyone else was inside the house with the suspected gunman.

Police said the two officials had been conducting a routine inspection of the gun owner’s firearms, including checking whether the weapons were being stored in accordance with regulations.