Munich shooting live updates: Killer identified as Ali Sonboly, son of a taxi driver

Mail Online reports Ali Sonboly is the son of a taxi driver, who lived just two miles away from the area where he shot down nine people and injured several others.

The Munich killer has been identified as Ali Sonboly, who is said to have posed as a teenage girl by the name Selina Akim on a fake Facebook account.

Media reports suggest that Sonboly used messages posted on the fake Facebook account to lure young victims to the mall and at a nearby McDonald's outlet, saying the eatery was offering free food.

Iranian news agency IRNA reports Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Ghasemi has condemned the Munich attack and has expressed solidarity with the German government.

German newspaper Bild report that police is interrogating the Munich attacker's father and forensic teams are conducting searches at their apartment in the central borough of Maxvorstadt, Munich.

Neighbours told the newspaper that the attacker was a "quiet guy."

Russian state media reported Russian President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to German chancellor Angela Merkel and chief minister of Bavaria.

Twitter users offer safe haven after deadly Munich shooting, writes IBTimes UK's Hyacinth Mascarenhas:

A twitter follower reacts to the brutal killing in Munich:

UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson says deadly Munich attack is proof of a "global sickness".

Munich police tweeted a while back that everything in the city is back to normal, except that buses, trams and other vehicles are barred from plying near Olympia shopping mall or Olympia-Einkaufszentrum (OEZ).

Candles lit near the Olympia shopping mall, where Friday evening's shooting rampage started in Munich, Germany.

A warning message distributed by the German civil defence app KATWARN informing about a shooting rampage at the Olympia shopping mall in Munich, is pictured on a mobile phone in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 22, 2016.

A pedestrian hands flowers to a policeman to place it near the Olympia shopping mall, where Friday's shooting rampage started, in Munich, Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to hold an emergency meeting with intelligence officials as well as her Chief of Staff Peter Altmaier and Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere later in the day.

French President Francois Hollande said in a statement:

"The terrorist attack that struck Munich killing many people is a disgusting act that aims to foment fear in Germany after other European countries."

Munich Police said their primary concern now is the situation of the injured and the families of the victims.

US president Barack Obama has condemned the attack that took place in Munich.

Germany is one of our closest allies, so we are going to pledge all the support that they may need in dealing with these circumstances.

The police will hold a press conference around noon with further updates.

Police President Hubertus Andrae concluded the press conference by offerin g his thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims, as he reassured the citizens of Munich that there is "no more danger."

A plain clothes policeman at the shopping mall was the first person to respond to the shooter, it was reported at the press conference. It is not yet confirmed whether the gunman was killed by police or turned his weapon on himself.

Police Chief confirms that "adolescents are amongst the dead and children amongst the injured."

Police chief confirms "10 people are dead, 3 people are critically injured and 13 slightly injured."

The perpetrator was found dead in a side street near the Olympia shopping mall.

The perpetrator has a dual-nationality- German and Iranian - it has been confirmed. The Police Chief said he could not confirm whether or not he had his passport on his person at the time of the attack.

Mr Andrae has requested witnesses to forward any footage and photos from the scene to the police adding that police personnel will also be speaking to eye-witnesses directly.

The motive for the shooting, remains "fully unclear" at this point says Munich Police Chief.

Munich's Police President Hubertus Andrae confirms that a man seen on a rooftop in an eyewitness video is believed to be the perpetrator of the attack.

No information will be released about the victims until their identities have been confirmed and their families are informed, says Munich's Police President Hubertus Andrae.

Reports of long-barrelled weapons 'unfounded.' Cartridges will be counted to determine how many times the perpetrator fired.

"We have no indication s [of connections to terrorist organisations.] Whether there are connections wil be part of the investigations." - Munich's Police President Hubertus Andrae.

Hubertus Andrae said the attacker had been residing in Germany 'for a while' and had not been known to security forces.

2300 police officers were involved, supported by additional forces from the special police forces in Switzerland, Austria, Bavarian police forces and helicopter police forces.

The site of the crime has been sealed off as forensics experts continue their work in the morning.

Motive is "totally unclear," said Munich's Police President Hubertus Andrae.

Munich's Police President Hubertus Andrae: "The attacker was an 18-year-old German of Iranian descent. His body was found at 8:30pm local time, having shot himself."

Munich Police press conference is now taking place and can be viewed live on Facebook.

Munich police are urging people to stop publishing pictures of the victims out of respect for their families.

Munich police spokesman Peter Back confirms investigators believe the shooter killed himself and appears to have acted alone. Police have given a "cautious all clear" as public transport is resumed in the city.

BREAKING: Munich police say the suspected gunman killed himself and may have been the sole shooter. There is a "high probability" that person acted alone, officers say.

Munich police have confirmed that 10 people are dead, including a possible gunman.

Munich Police are due to hold a press conference in 45 minutes to provide an update on the ongoing investigation as a manhunt for the perpetrators of the attacks continues.

The Munich shootings took place on the 5th anniversary of Breivik attack in Norway

The mass shooting in Munich has taken place comes on the fifth anniversary of Anders Breivik's slaughter of 77 people in Oslo and Utoya Island in Norway. In the worst far-right attack carried in Europe by Norwegian far-right extremist Breivik targeted a Labour party youth camp with assault rifles and detonated a bomb in downtown Oslo.

The anti-Muslim militant later admitted both attacks and sentenced to containment - a special form of a prison sentence that can be extended again and again - with a time frame of 21 years and a minimum time of 10 years, which is the maximum penalty in Norway.

In June the Royal United Services Institute's updated Countering Lone Actor Terrorism report claims right-wing extremists "represent a substantial aspect of the lone-actor threat and must not be overlooked". The report says that 94 people were killed and 260 injured in attacks by far-right terrorists acting on their own between 2000 and 2014.

Munich mosques to stay open overnight as refuge for citizens

Mosques in Munich will stay open as places of refuge overnight after the horrific shootings in the city. German Muslim newspaper, Islamische Zeitung, reports that mosques will offer sanctuary to stranded people who cannot get home after the transport network was suspended.

Police: At least 10 injured in Munich massacre

Police to investigate 'ninth body' with robot

German media are reporting that Munich police want to investigate the ninth body, found a kilometre away from the mall, with a robot. Bavarian broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk says a male body is still being investigated and could be an attacker.

German officials react to the Munich massacre

The German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says the motive for the deadly shooting has not been established with suspicions the attack was a far-right terror attack. He said: "The motives for this abhorrent act have not yet been completely clarified - we still have contradictory clues."

Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief-of-staff has said that police remain 'open-minded' about the motives for the attack.

Germany's Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel tweeted that his thoughts were with the victims of the "shocking" Munich attack whilst praising the local police force.

Husband tells wife trapped in Munich mall 'if you can't run away, you have to kill'

'Ninth body' had red backpack similar to gunman's nearby , say reports

The Bavarian broadcaster BR has reported that one of the dead bodies had a red backpack similar to that used by the shooter. The news comes as Munich police spokesman, Marcus da Gloria Martins, told the national news programme Tagesschau that the 'ninth body' died in a violent manner - although it was too early to tell whether he was a victim or a suspect.

There are reports that the victims of the shooting included shoppers and workers. While nine people are reported dead - possibly including the attacker - there are reports of 20 people with injuries.

Police have reported that over 100 people witnessed the shooting at a shopping mall in Munich. They have asked members of the public not to circulate images from the scene on social media, urging instead for all photos to be sent directly to the police as they continue the investigation.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says the motive for the deadly shooting is not yet clear.

"The motives for this abhorrent act have not yet been completely clarified - we still have contradictory clues."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief-of-staff Peter Altmaier has told German television that a terrorist link to the Munich attacks cannot yet be confirmed.
"We cannot rule out that it is linked to terrorism but we can't confirm it either, but we are also investigating in this direction," he said.

Angel Merkel is being briefed on the developing situation in Munich ahead of a security cabinet meeting to be held on Saturday, it has been reported.

Munich Police have said all public transport continues to be suspended and have urged taxi drivers not to take any passengers into the town centre.

Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump has commented on the attack in Munich on his Facebook page, stating: "Our prayers are with all those affected by the horrible attacks in Munich. This cannot continue. The rise of terrorism threatens the way of life for all civilized people, and we must do everything in our power to keep it from our shores."

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has released a statement describing his shock at the shooting in Munich.

"I am shocked and appalled by the terrible attack unfolding this evening in Munich, and the loss of life. My thoughts are with those injured and the families of those killed. We stand ready to assist our friends in Germany.

"Our travel advice to UK nationals in the area tonight is to stay indoors and follow the advice of the local authorities."

Police officers escort members of the public away from the scene of the shooting at the Olympia Einkaufzentrum (OEZ) as they continue to search for suspects involved in the shooting.

The President of Germany, Joachim Gauck, says he is "horrified" by the shooting in Munich.

In a statement, Mr Gauck said: "I am with all the victims in my thoughts and all those who are mourning or fearful for loved ones."

He expressed his "solidarity" with the emergency services who are working to "protect people and save lives" following an attack on the people of Germany.

BREAKING: A ninth person has been confirmed dead by Munich Police, who said they are checking whether the person was one of the attackers.

The White House has issued a statement on Twitter condemning 'the apparent terrorist attack that has claimed innocent lives in Munich, Germany'.

BREAKING: A Munich police spokesman has confirmed eight people are dead.

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann is to give a press conference on the Munich shooting shortly.

World leaders are reacting with messages of support following reports of a terror attack in Munich.

Expressing his shock at unfolding events, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his "thoughts are with the people" of Germany.

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said: "We stand with our friends in Germany as they work to bring those responsible to justice."

Video: President Obama pledges US support to Germany

Boris Johnson 'shocked and saddened' following Munich attacks

Newly-crowned UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson has tweeted following the shootings in Munich offering his condolences.

No sign Munich shootings were an 'Islamist terror attack', say reports

German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung has tweeted that police say there are no indications this was an 'Islamic terror attack'.

Shooter 'was not foreign'

A Munich taxi driver has told the German media that the gunman "was not foreign" when speaking on a livestream to Die Welt.

Police still looking for "3 shooters"

Police: "We are looking for three shooters and our main priority is for the security of the public in the city. The gunmen opened fire in a restaurant and then the attack continued outside."

BREAKING: An unverified report by German magazine Focus has cited police sources claiming that one gunman shot himself in the head.

BREAKING: Munich police say that six people have been killed and three others injured in the Olympia Shopping Centre shooting.

They added that they believe there are three perpetrators involved in the shooting. The post below reads in English: "Update: It is not known how many injured people must identify. Unfortunately there are six people killed. #oez, #münchen, #schießerei"

Barack Obama says his "heart goes out to" Munich victims

US president Barack Obama has spoken following the deadly shootings in Munich pledging his support to Germany. He said: "We don't yet know exactly what's happening there, but obviously our hearts go out to those who may have been injured".

The democrat added that the US was ready to offer the country "all the support they may need".

Munich Police : "At the moment no suspect has been arrested. The search is taking place at high speed."

Reuters reporting at least two shooters in Munich terror attack according to German security sources. The suspects remain at large.

Six people have been killed in the shopping centre shooting in Munich, reports German public broadcaster BR.

The Associated Press are reporting that police are calling the Munich shooting a "terror attack.

Germany's rail operator says it is evacuating the main train station in Munich. Buses have ground to a halt in the city centre as police issue warnings to local residents to go to their homes and stay away from public places.

Munich police have said witnesses reported three different people with guns at the scene. In a statement released on Facebook, they said the shootings were reported in the area of Hanauer Street, Ries Street and in the Olympia Shopping Centre.

"At 5.50pm, witnesses reported a shooting in the area of Hanauer Street, Ries Street and the Olympia Shopping Centre. Witnesses reported seeing three separate people with guns. We do not know the number of victims. Special forces, the federal police and neighboring präsidien are supporting local police.

"The perpetrators have not yet been arrested. Due to the situation, we are asking all people in the metropolitan area to seek shelter - either at home or in nearby buildings."

– Munich Police

Video footage believed to be the shooter firing outside the shopping centre has been posted on Facebook.

Following reports of a shooting incident at the Olympia shopping center in Munich and a second shooting at Marienplatz metro station in Munich, nearby metro stations are being evacuated. Footage posted on social media shows locals leaving the Rotkreuzplatz Metro Station, as police sirens ring through the city's Neuhausen neighborhood.

The Foreign Office has already issued updates advice to any British people who may be in Munich.

A spokesperson said:

"There are reports of an incident at the Munich Olympia Shopping Centre. You are advised to avoid this location and follow the advice of local authorities."

According to the Bavarian interior minister, at least three people have been killed in the shooting shooting at the Munich shopping centre, with the number feared to rise.

Police asking people not to post images or videos of the police operation online so they do not "support the perpetrators". Asks people to avoid all stations in the city.

One staff member still inside the shopping centre told Reuters by phone that "many shots were fired". The worker added: "All the people from outside came streaming into the store and I only saw one person on the ground who was so severely injured that he definitely didn't survive.

"We have no further information, we're just staying in the back in the storage rooms. No police have approached us yet."

There are already reports of a second shooting in Marienplatz metro station in Munich.

Video taken from the scene is already been shared on social media:

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), citing police, several people have been killed and many more injured. One eyewitness described seeing around 30 police cars making their way to the shopping centre, with a police helicopter also seen flying over the scene.

An official at the shopping centre declined to fully comment on the situation to Reuters, saying only, "We are experiencing a problem."

Several people are feared dead following a mass shooting at the Olympia shopping centre in Munich, Germany. Police have advised people to stay away from the area over fears the guman is still on the loose.

Images and video shared on social media show people frantically running from the scene in the district of Moosach in the city. A major police operation is underway with officers urging residents close to the shopping centre to stay indoors and avoid public spaces in Munich.