According to officials a man shot dead and at least two people at the Palace of Justice in the Italian city of of Milan.

Appeals court judge Giovanni Canzio told the official Ansa news agency that a defendant in a bankruptcy case opened fire at the entrance to a courtroom.

It is reported that the bankruptcy court judge, Fernando Ciampi, was one of those killed, and it identified the gunman as Claudio Giardiello. He is also believed to still be at large inside the Palace of Justice.

The building was being evacuated, with women allowed to leave first. Men are being let out after having their identification checked.

It was unclear how he managed to bring a weapon into the Palace of Justice, as visitors have to pass through metal detectors.

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