An armed man has been shot dead by police in the German town of Viernheim after an incident today that caused dozens of people to flee a cinema complex.

German police confirmed the suspect’s shooting during a televised statement, adding that no one was injured by the man during the incident. At least 25 people were hit by pepper spray during the standoff with police, according to German media reports.

The masked man fled into the cinema complex, operated by Kinopolis Management Multiplex GmbH, with eyewitnesses reporting shots fired into the air, according to media reports. Police cordoned off the area and special commandos were deployed to assist.

Kinopolis declined to comment when contacted by phone, saying the company’s managing director was on his way to the site.

With assistance from Stefan Nicola, Katharina Rosskopf and Alexander Kell.