A DOCTOR has been shot dead by a 72-year-old gunman, who opened fire inside a medical clinic in Berlin before turning the gun on himself.

Reports suggest the shooter was a patient at the hospital and that the murder took place during a consultation on the fourth floor of the building.

7 Police said the incident was not linked to terrorism, after deploying an anti-terror unit to the scene Credit: Reuters

7 Heavily armed police were mobilised after a 72-year-old patient shot dead a doctor during a private consultation Credit: Rex Features

7 A perimeter has been set up outside the Benjamin Franklin Hospital in Berlin, with armed police standing guard Credit: DPA

The two were alone in a private room of the hospital when the elderly patient pulled out a handgun and began offloading rounds.

An anti-terrorist unit was deployed to the clinic at Charité University's Benjamin Franklin campus, which is one of Europe's largest hospitals.

20 emergency vehicles also arrived on the site.

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The main building of the compound has been evacuated after witnesses reportedly heard several shots.

The 55-year-old doctor, who was a father of two, was taken to an intensive care unit with critical injuries but died less than two hours later, according to Berlin's police department.

Police have now released a statement saying the situation is under control after sealing off the area.

They confirmed "there is no danger".

7 Witnesses heard the shots and the building was evacuated Credit: Reuters

7 The shooting took place on a university campus in the Steglitz region of the city Credit: Sky News

7 Officers walk at the university clinic in Steglitz, Berlin, where a Doctor was shot by a gunman and later died Credit: AP:Associated Press

7 An anti-terrorist unit was deployed to the scene in the southwest region of the Berlin Credit: Sky News

Despite calling in anti-terror forces, authorities have suggested terrorism was not the reason for the attack.

Bild reports the doctor is a senior dental surgeon and the the shooter was a former patient.

The shooting took place at 11:00am in the Steglitz district, located in the southwest region of the city.

Officials are still investigating the the circumstances of the shooter and a motive is yet to be revealed.

This latest attack comes just days after 18-year-old Ali David Solonby slaughtered nine people with a handgun in Munich, Germany.

In a statement the hospital said: "It is with great sadness that Charité can announce the doctor... who was shot this morning at the hospital has succumbed to his injuries. Charité's thoughts are with the family."

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