A man apparently attacked passers-by indiscriminately in the city centre of Würzburg, killing three people. According to police, six other people were also injured. Apparently, several passers-by gathered to stop the man until the police arrived. Investigators were initially reluctant to provide detailed information. The background to the attack in the middle of the city centre was initially unclear. A large part of the area was cordoned off in the afternoon.

Sources claim the suspected perpetrator was overpowered and arrested. The police had to shoot him, and he was injured in the process. A police spokeswoman was initially unable to say how seriously. According to reports, he was shot in the leg. In the meantime, there is no longer any danger for the population, the spokeswoman said.

Areas around Barbarossaplatz have been closed off. A large number of ambulances and police vehicles are in the streets. The police are calling on witnesses to come forward. They are asking everyone else to leave the area. Police are also asking people not to post videos or pictures on social media. "Please respect the privacy of the victims!" it says on Twitter. On social networks, there were already the first videos shortly after the event, which allegedly show what happened.

Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann is on his way to Würzburg after the knife attack. A spokesman for the CSU politician said on Friday evening that he would get a picture of the situation at the scene.