A manhunt is underway in Weitefeld, western Germany, following the discovery of three bodies in a residential building.
Police have advised local residents to remain indoors and avoid picking up hitchhikers, while a helicopter patrols the area and checks vehicles entering and leaving the town, which has a population of about 2,200.
The emergency call reporting the incident was received at 3:45 am local time, but details regarding the victims have not yet been released.