Teen friend of Munich attacker arrested

German police last night arrested a 16-year-old friend of the teenager who killed nine people during a shooting rampage in Munich.

The boy was detained amid suspicions he knew of Ali David Sonboly’s plans to carry out Friday’s attack but did not report it.

He is also suspected of being involved in the post on Facebook which lured young people to McDonald’s restaurant with the offer of free food. That fast-food outlet is in the shopping mall where the killings occurred.

Meanwhile, further details have emerged about Sonboly, 18, including that he was a victim of bullying who suffered from panic attacks when he came into contact with people. A picture has emerged of a young man suffering from a number of psychiatric problems.

Bavaria’s chief prosecutor Thomas Steinhaus-Koch said the gunman was treated for anxiety and hospitalised for psychiatric treatment from July to September 2015, followed by out-patient treatment as recently as last month. Investigators also found prescription medicines at his home, where he lived with his parents and younger brother.

He also had a fascination with previous mass shootings — his rampage on Friday took place on the fifth anniversary of the murders of 77 people by Norwegian right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik.

He also visited the scene of a previous school shooting in the German town of Winnenden where another teen killed 15 people in 2009.