Gas station mechanics subdued gunman

Authorities captured the man, identified as 47-year-old Bernd G., after a manhunt on Friday.

He is believed to have shot dead an 82-year-old woman in the small Bavarian town of Leutershausen, and a 72-year-old male cyclist in Rammersdorf, in the same area. At least two more people reported that a man in a Mercedes convertible shot at or threatened with a gun.

Although the suspect, who had no previous criminal record, lived in nearby town of Ansbach, there is currently no indication that he knew his victims, authorities said.

"We can only assume this was simply a shooting spree," Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said.

'Courageous' gas station workers

The alleged shooter tried to flee in his car, and entered a gas station in Bad Windsheim brandishing a gun, the police said.

However, one of the gas station employees grabbed the weapon after the suspect briefly laid it down on the counter. Two mechanics later overpowered the alleged gunman, police said.

"Thanks to the courageous intervention of these employees, the perpetrator was able to be stopped," Herrmann said at a news conference.

Shock in Bavaria

The man showed signs of mental disorder during the ride to the police station, mostly in the form of incoherent rambling, officials said.

The authorities ordered a psychiatric examination, after which a decision will be reached on whether the suspect should be hospitalized or put into police detention.

Leutershausen Mayor Siegfried Hess said he was "stunned and flabbergasted," by the attack.

"Living in a town of 5,500 residents, where we've always had a peaceful life," he said. "We only hear about situations like this on TV."

dj/sms (Reuters, dpa, AP, AFP)