German Police Arrest 5 After Alleged Gunman Enters Cologne Office: Reports

Police in Germany are hunting an alleged gunman at an unemployment office in Cologne on Thursday.

A staff member hit the panic alarm after feeling threatened by a group of people seeking a job. A witness allegedly saw an armed person inside the job center, walking around.

Employees have been told to stay inside the building, a DW reporter said on Twitter.

There have been reports that as many as five people have been arrested.

Cologne Police wrote in a tweet: “Police operation at job centre in Luxemburger Street due to threatening behavior. Information over bomb threat is false.”

Police presence in Cologne-Sülz next to the labour office as local @express24 reports of a person seen with a gun. pic.twitter.com/lrSR4ppWra — Felix Tamsut (@ftamsut) July 28, 2016

According to the report, an employee triggered the alarm in the building. I’m here and situation seems calm. Police are here in numbers. — Felix Tamsut (@ftamsut) July 28, 2016

Employees were asked to stay in their offices here in Sülz, according to local media here in Cologne. pic.twitter.com/Ff5OVQoYNS — Felix Tamsut (@ftamsut) July 28, 2016

Local @express24 reports that five people have been arrested. Area around the building still cordoned off by police. pic.twitter.com/La48e5N00c — Felix Tamsut (@ftamsut) July 28, 2016

Germany has been on high alert after a series of attacks in the past two weeks. The deadliest came last Friday, July 22, after a German-Iranian teenager opened fire on a shopping mall, killing nine before shooting himself.

On July 24, a failed Syrian asylum seeker detonated a bomb, killing himself and injuring 15 people in Ansbach, located in Bavaria state.