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

One woman has reportedly died with hostages taken after a gunman’s rampage this morning in Dresden, Saxony.

German police 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.

Police refused to confirm the death, but said the operation was over with two in custody and none harmed just before midday on Saturday. 

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

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

Bild reported that the assailant 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.

Dresden State confirmed on Twitter at 11:50 that police had concluded the operation with two in custody and none harmed.

Security forces secured the area at a Christmas market in Dresden, Saxony, this morning

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

The man reportedly killed a woman before storming Radio Dresden in the south of the city 

Radio Dresden, caught up in the events, confirmed that all employees had escaped unharmed. 

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