Gunman in school shooting 'had clashed with teachers'

An expelled student who went on a shooting rampage at his former school, had frequent run-ins with teachers and his parents.

The 19-year-old, identified by students as Robert Steinhaeuser, marched through the Erfurt school in Germany, firing on teachers and students.

He killed 16 people, 13 of them teachers, before turning the gun on himself.

Police say they are questioning relatives of the gunman as well as students to try to find a motive for the attack.

The gunman's former schoolmate, Isabell Hartung, has described him as intelligent and well-liked by his peers, but says he often fought with teachers and had "bad relations with his parents".

She says he told her: "One day, I want everyone to know my name and I want to be famous."

Police spokesman Rainer Grube says the gunman had been expelled from school, but did not say when.

Officers also say he was a member of a rifle club and had a weapons licence. Authorities have now begun removing bodies from the school.

Meanwhile, flags are flying at half-mast throughout Germany and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's party has cancelled an election rally.

Interior Minister Otto Schily says the gunman appeared to be motivated by anger following his expulsion from school.