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Fugitive gunman had illegal arsenal

Police in canton Bern say a gunman who has been on the run since Thursday did not have a licence for numerous weapons found in his Biel home.

The announcement comes a day after police admitted that a wanted photo published of the 67-year-old was not of him but his dead father.

The cantonal police have been criticised for the handling of the case since they allowed the man to escape his house in the western town even though they had it surrounded. Before he fled, he exchanged shots with the police, seriously wounding one in the face.

Despite the massive security presence, the fugitive tried to return to his home the same evening and took shots at the police once again. He was able to get away a second time.

On Wednesday, a police spokeswoman said his whereabouts were still not known.

The incident was reportedly sparked by the impending forced sale by auction of the man’s home.

swissinfo.ch and agencies

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