Three people have died after a shooting in the Austrian city of Linz this afternoon in what local media believe to be a "murder-suicide".
The shooting occurred outside a restaurant in the Upper Austrian city, according to reports from local newspaper Kronen Zeitung.
An elderly man is reported to have shot and killed an older woman and then a younger woman in front of the Lüftner inn, before committing suicide.
Witnesses observed the broad daylight incident, with no danger to the public, according to emergency services.
Austrian police confirmed three fatalities, and that a weapon has been recovered from the scene.
The violent attack occurred around 1.30 pm local time (12.30pm BST), with an investigation operation ongoing.
Police have erected screens and tents in the adjacent car park, and the area has been cordoned off by officers on the scene.
Local media suggests the two victims of the shooting were the man's wife and daughter.
The shooting occurred outside the Lüftner inn in Linz, Austria
|SUPPLIED
Guests, residents, and onlookers have been left in shock by the incident.
One resident dining in the restaurant at the time told the Kronen Zeitung: "There were so many shots. The landlady's face turned very red, and she immediately locked everything up."
Guests were only allowed to leave the restaurant after being kept inside for half an hour for their own safety.
Another witness said: "Several people have already called me to ask if I'm still alive."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Local media further reported an "inheritance dispute", thought to be the motivation behind the violent incident.
Reports also indicate a suicide note has been recovered at the scene.
Austria suffered a tragic loss last summer after a mass shooting in Graz
| TUIAustria suffered a tragic loss last summer after a major shooting saw a 21-year-old man fatally shoot eight pupils and an adult at his old high school, injuring several others before turning his weapon on himself.
A tenth victim who had been in a critical condition subsequently died, with eleven others treated in local hospitals for injuries sustained in the attack.
The attack on Tuesday morning in the southern city of Graz was “a dark day in the history of our country”, said Chancellor Christian Stocker at the time.
He described it as an act of “unimaginable violence” and “a national tragedy that has shocked us all”.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.