Gunman takes hostages in Dresden shopping centre after killing woman and shooting up radio station 

One woman is dead and hostages have been taken after a gunman’s rampage this morning in Dresden, Saxony.

German police have evacuated a shopping centre ‘with suspicion of a hostage situation’ in downtown Dresden.

Bild reported that an armed man, 40, killed a woman, 70, before storming a local radio station and firing shots.

The man moved to the Altmarktgalerie shopping centre near Dresden Castle before taking several hostages. 

Police confirmed in an online statement that the area was closed off to the public 

Bild reported today that a man, 40, had killed a woman, 70, before storming a radio station

The man is understood to be holed up in a drugstore in the shopping centre near the castle

Bild reported that the man killed a woman before rushing to Radio Dresden’s studio in the Ammonhof venue hall. 

The man is understood to have fired shots in the building before heading to the Altmarktgalerie shopping centre, a 13-minute walk north.

Police refused to confirm any details. 

Police have asked locals to avoid the area but have not confirmed any further details

Radio Dresden report that the man is still at large.

Police asked locals to stay away from the area and confirmed the nearby Striezelmarkt Christmas market had been closed.