He started firing all around for several minutes. It was really terrible

Eyewitness

Ten others were injured when Friedrich Leibacher, 57, burst into the assembly session disguised as a police officer.

He opened fire with an assault rifle and a pistol. Eight of them remain in a critical condition

The attack took place at the regional parliament building in the town of Zug, 25 km (16 miles) south of Zurich, at 1030 (0830 GMT) on Thursday.

Police say he detonated an explosive device before turning his gun on himself.

Leibacher, who had been embroiled in a long-running dispute with the local authorities, left behind a confession note describing his actions as a "Day of rage for the Zug mafia".

'Execution'

Officials dived behind desks as Leibacher opened fire.

Witnesses reported there was blood everywhere and one member of parliament compared it to an execution.

Flags will fly at half-mast for three days

"I was just outside the door of the parliament when he came in with a rifle, with several pistols and with what I think was a hand grenade," one eyewitness told Reuters news agency.

"He started firing all around for several minutes. It was really terrible."

The guns used by Leibacher are standard issue weapons which Swiss nationals have to keep in case of call up.

Grudge

Leibacher appears to have formed a grudge against local authorities after he became involved in a dispute with bus drivers and transport officials.

Parliament was suspended as deputies heard the news

One government official, Robert Bisig - who was a particular target of Leibacher's - told a press conference that a court had this week dismissed seven suits brought by Leibacher against the authorities.

Leibacher is thought to have held Mr Bisig personally responsible for legal action which local transport authorities had brought against him.

The Swiss President Mortiz Leuenberger has ordered all flags to fly at half mast for three days. The national parliament in Bern was suspended when deputies received the news.

Although violent crime is extremely rare in Switzerland, gun ownership is widespread due to the obligation to carry out military service and the popularity of shooting as a sport.

There are only minimal controls at public buildings but the President of the House of Representatives, Peter Hess, has said that may now need to be reviewed.