Five dead and others injured in Turkey shooting as gunman opens fire in restaurant

Police are hunting a suspected gunman who opened fire at a restaurant in Tarsus in the south of Turkey after allegedly killing his ex-wife with a rifle

A massive search is underway for a suspected gunman who opened fire at a restaurant before reportedly attacking further victims during his escape. The incident took place today in the southern Turkish town of Tarsus, located close to the port city of Mersin.

According to local media reports, the suspect used his vehicle to launch the attack, firing into the eatery from his car. At least five individuals have been confirmed dead and a further seven people sustained injuries in the series of violent assaults that followed, reports The Mirror.

CNN Türk reported that the suspect killed his ex-wife with a rifle and fled in his car. The outlet said he also opened fire on the restaurant restaurant in Kadelli Neighborhood of Tarsus with a gun from the window of his car.

Following the shooting at the restaurant in Tarsus, the suspect then reportedly fled in the vehicle. Turkish news outlet tabyadijital.com said that the suspect injured seven people along his escape route.

Emergency services flooded the scene, taking the wounded to hospital while security forces set up a cordon around the various crime scenes.

It is also being reported in local media that two of those who tragically died are the owner and an employee of the restaurant where the terrifying scenes unfolded. Another two people, a shepherd grazing his flock and a lorry driver were also shot to death.

Police have launched a large-scale manhunt with helicopter support as they try to find and arrest the gunman. Cops are monitoring traffic on the highways in the region and teams are also using drones to try and apprehend the suspected shooter.