What Is Known So Far About Deadly Shooting at Shisha Bars in Germany's Hanau

At least nine people have been shot dead and several others critically injured in the attacks on shisha bars in the town of Hanau, east of Frankfurt, police confirmed on Wednesday.

Earlier media reports suggested several suspects had opened fire Wednesday evening, but the Hanauer Anzeiger newspaper said later that there was only one suspect who acted on his own.

According to police, the attacks took place at about 10 p.m. local time (21:00 GMT) and targeted the "Midnight" bar and the Arena Bar.

In a Thursday tweet, the police said that the suspected shooter was found dead at this hime in Hanau, with another body discovered next to him. They also added that the perpetrator likely acted alone.

Videos from the scene shared on social media captured multiple law enforcement forces and emergency services deployed in the area.

According to early media reports, the suspect entered the first bar in the town centre initially and then headed for another one in the Kasselstadt district. The shots were also heard at Kurt-Schumacher-Platz, a central square in Kesselstadt, according to Bild.

There is alleged footage from the scene posted on Twitter in which gunshots can be heard in the background.

An alleged video of police arresting a suspect in connection with the attacks has also been circulating on social media. Police haven't confirmed whether it was the actual shooter.

Initially, there were also reports about a third scene in another district - Lamboy, where a large contingent of officers was deployed over a possible shootout, but it was not confirmed.

The search for the suspect is still underway, and the motives behind the attack remain unclear.