Germany shooting: Nine dead after two attacks on Hanau shisha bars

A gunman opened fire on two shisha bars in the western German city of Hanau, killing at least eight people and injuring several others, police say.

The shootings took place around 22:00 (21:00 GMT) on Wednesday. In both places the clientele were reported to have been predominantly Kurdish.

The suspect then fled to his home where he was later found dead along with the body of a second person.
 

The motive for the attacks is unclear. An investigation is ongoing.

Police say the suspect killed himself. The Bild tabloid reports he was a German citizen with a firearms licence, and that ammunition and gun magazines were found in his car.

According to Bild, he expressed far-right views in a letter of confession and a video but this has not been confirmed officially.
 

German federal prosecutors, which investigate crimes including terrorism, have taken over the case.

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The suspect then reportedly fled in a dark car to the Kesselstadt neighbourhood and opened fire at the Arena Bar & Cafe, where five people were killed.

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Shisha bars are places where people gather to smoke a pipe known as shisha or hookah. Traditionally found in Middle Eastern and Asian countries they are also popular in many other parts of the world.

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The shootings sparked a seven-hour manhunt, while officers searched for what they thought could have been more than one attacker.

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"The home address was blocked off extensively and searched by special police forces. Two other bodies were found. One of the dead people is most likely the culprit," the state police force said in a statement.

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