www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/04/26/germany.shooting/index.html
An unidentified man sets a candle among the flowers at the entrance of the Gutenberg high school early Saturday. A special church service was held Friday night hours after the shooting and flags were lowered to half-staff. Two female pupils, 13 teachers, a school secretary and a police officer were shot to death by a recently expelled student. The bodies were scattered in hallways, classrooms and bathrooms. The dead police officer was shot earlier before the school was stormed, police told CNN. Describing the scene at the Gutenberg Gymnasium School as a "picture of horror," Grube said the 19-year-old gunman fled German special forces as they stormed the building, and then shot himself in a classroom. Police were fired upon when they first entered the school. Police told The Associated Press the gunman was found with 500 rounds of ammunition. Plea for help taped to window Weeping students fled the school, and anxious parents gathered outside. I saw this big placard with the word 'Help' on it taped to a window and people moving around behind it, but I couldn't tell if they were children or attackers," a witness told German broadcaster RTL. A room-by-room search of the school was carried out following reports a second gunman was involved in the shooting, but police believe the gunman acted alone and was spotted by different pupils as he moved to various areas of the school. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's said he was "staggered" by the shooting, and cancelled an election campaign scheduled to begin on Saturday. Scores were treated for shock by doctors and psychologists. Hundreds of armed police wearing bulletproof vests sealed off the building. A tent was set up nearby where parents were informed of the whereabouts of their children. About 750 students aged between 10 and 19 are enrolled at the school, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in December. Help signs Some people inside the building posted signs asking for help. The shooting came just hours before the German parliament approved a new bill tightening the country's already strict gun controls. People wanting to buy a hunting rifle must undergo checks that can last a year, while those wanting a gun for sport must be a member of a club and obtain a license from the police. Erfurt, a town of nearly 200,000 people in former communist East Germany, was founded in the 13th century and was once home to theologian Martin Luther. In February, a 22-year-old German who recently lost his job shot and killed two former bosses and his old high school's principal in a rampage outside Munich. Note: Pages will open in a new browser window External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive. Find 61 Back to the top 2003 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
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