German police arrest suspect after street shooting

BERLIN

A man has been arrested after opening fire on random passers-by in a southern German town, killing two elderly people.

Public prosecutor Gerhard Neuhof said the 47-year old suspect, identified only as Bernd G. from Ansbach in southern Bavaria, is currently under arrest on suspicion of killing an 82-year-old woman and a 72-year-old cyclist, plus shooting at another person who survived without severe injury.

The shootings took place in Ansbach on Friday.

“The suspect has shown signs of psychological abnormalities. He is currently under medical examination,” Neuhof said at a press conference in the town.

According to initial reports, the suspect did not have any relation to the victims nor spoke to them before opening fire from his car, Neuhof added.

Bernd G. was arrested by police hours after the killing spree, at a gas station in the town of Bad Windsheim, about 30 kilometers [18 miles] from the crime scene.

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said the suspect was overpowered by mechanics at the gas station before police arrived at the scene.

Investigators said the suspect legally owned a pistol and a handgun, but did not have a license to carry firearms in public.