Four people have been injured after a gunman opened fire at a university campus in a terrifying attack in Germany.
During the horrifying incident, the gunman burst into a lecture hall at the University of Heidelberg with a long gun and began shooting, injuring four victims - some seriously.
Police said the shooter then turned the gun on himself delivering a fatal blow.
The gunman was a student at the university and was known to carry rifles on him, according to DPA News Agency.
Emergency and rescue workers are at the scene where an area has been cordoned off and a major police operation is underway.
Police do not believe there is any further danger to the public and believe the shooter was acting alone.
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Officers have urged people to avoid the area, as investigations into the broad daylight shooting continue.
A police statement said: "A single perpetrator injured several people in a lecture hall with a long gun. The perpetrator himself is dead.
"Colleagues are still on-site with strong forces - we will provide further information here."
Police added: "Four people, some seriously injured, currently there is no longer any danger, the perpetrator is dead - it is assumed that the perpetrator was a lone wolf. Citizen hotline 0621/174-5055 set up for relatives."
An earlier statement by police said: "Large-scale deployment. Multiple injuries.
"Police and rescue workers with strong forces on site. We will keep you updated as soon as more details are known."
Police asked motorists to drive around or bypass Neuenheimer Feld in Heidelberg so that rescue workers and emergency services could reach the scene.
"Stay strong #Heidelberg," one tweet read.
Another warned: "Don’t go to Campus Neuenheimer Feld in #Heidelberg."
"Prayers, strength and love to everyone affected. #Heidelberg," another said.
One tweeted: "Absolutely shocking and saddening news. Not long ago I was working peacefully in Heidelberg university library. A beautiful place.
"It's horrific to think that such a thing can happen in a place of learning in 2022. Thoughts with family and friends of the victims."
The most recent school shooting in Germany occurred in 2009, at Winnenden in southwestern Germany, where 17-year-old Tim Kretschmer, went on a shooting spree at his former high school.
Kretschmer took a pistol from his parents and used this to kill nine pupils aged 14 to 16 at the Albertville Realschule, as well as three more people in a further rampage in Winnenden and nearby Wendlingen.
Following the spate of shootings he shot himself dead.
