German President Joachim Gauck said Friday he was "horrified" by the "murderous attack" in a Munich shoppingcentrewhich left at least eight people dead.

"I am with all the victims in my thoughts and all those who are mourning orfearfulfor loved ones," he said in a statement, adding that his "solidarity" was with emergency services personnel trying to "protect people and save lives".

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, who was on a flight to the New York when the shooting rampage began, will immediately return to Germany, a ministry spokesman told AFP.