The attack took place on Wednesday night, February 19. The first target was the Midnight shisha bar in the city centre of Hanau. Witnesses reported hearing about a dozen gunshots, and at least three people were killed.
The suspect then reportedly fled in a dark car to the Kesselstadt neighbourhood and opened fire at the Arena Bar & Cafe, where at least five people were killed.
In both places targeted on Wednesday night, the clientele were reported to have been predominantly Kurdish.
The shootings sparked a seven-hour manhunt, while officers searched for what they thought could have been more than one attacker.
Authorities believe the
suspect, a 43-year-old man, returned home after the rampage and shot
himself. He was found dead in his apartment early Thursday morning along
with the body of his 72-year-old mother. Both had died from gunshot
wounds, according to the region's interior minister, Peter Beuth.
The total number of people killed -- including the suspect -- is 11, with another person seriously injured, added Beuth.
Federal prosecutors are treating the attack as terrorism, with officials saying there is evidence the gunman was a far-right extremist.
The Bild tabloid reports that the suspect was a German citizen with a firearms licence, and that ammunition and gun magazines were found in his car. According to Bild, he expressed far-right views in a letter of confession and a video but this has not been confirmed officially.
Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky told Bild it had been a "terrible night", adding: "You could not imagine a worse night. It will of course keep us busy for a long, long time and remain a sad memory. I'm deeply moved."
This attack comes four days after another shooting in Berlin, near a Turkish comedy show at the Tempodrom concert venue, which killed one person.
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