Gunman takes people hostage during German house eviction Police said they believed there could be people injured but were unable to say how many hostages were being held in the house in the German city of Karlsruhe where the man has barricaded himself in. A police spokesman said they believed there could be people injured but were unable to say how many hostages were being held in the building in the city of Karlsruhe. The man barricaded himself and the hostages in early on Wednesday morning, the spokesman said. Officers shut down a large part of the city around the apartment after shots were fired around 9am when two court bailiffs went to clear the apartment of its occupants. They said they believe they are dealing with a single armed man but have had no contact with him yet. Neither of the bailiffs are accounted for. More to follow.