Two killed, several injured in courthouse shooting in Germany

Police spokesman, Thomas Ploessl, told news channel N24 the courthouse in the city about 60 kilometers (40 miles) northeast of Munich had been evacuated.

Leonard Mayer, another spokesman for police, reportedly told N-TV television that authorities believed the gunman had killed himself and wounded other people in a hail of bullets.

"According to my information there are two people dead," Mayer said. He was unaware of any warning: "It came out of the blue."

Matthias Loew from local radio station Radio Trausnitz said the shooting took place at around 10:15 local time (0815 GMT).

"The talk was of four seriously wounded," Loew said, although authorities have not confirmed the number.

The court employs 128 people including 34 judges, according to its website. Reports say an inheritance case was underway as the gunman opened fire.

There was no immediate information on the identity of the gunman or a possible motive.

The incident comes just four weeks after a 17-year-old gunned down 15 people in the German town of Winnenden, in a bloodbath that revived an emotional debate over gun laws.

The teenage killer shot himself when police tried to apprehend him.

Photo is an archive image.