STADE
A tragic shooting at a shelter for mothers and children in northern Germany has left six people dead, with investigators believing the attack was linked to an apparent child custody dispute. Authorities said the suspected gunman, a 45-year-old man, opened fire inside the facility, targeting employees before being taken into custody.
The incident occurred in the town of Stade, located near the major port city of Hamburg. According to officials, the suspect had arrived at the shelter earlier in the day for a scheduled appointment before launching the attack around midday. Police responded swiftly to the emergency, securing the area and detaining those believed to be directly connected with the case.
Authorities confirmed that all six victims were employees of the shelter. The deceased included four women and two men. Five victims died at the scene, while the sixth succumbed to injuries after being transported to a hospital. Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims as investigations continue and families are being informed.
Police said the suspected shooter’s three-month-old daughter and the child’s mother were unharmed. Both are safe following the incident. Investigators have taken the alleged gunman into custody along with the child’s mother and another woman, who are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials have not disclosed the precise reasons for their detention but indicated that they may possess information relevant to the case.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed deep shock over the attack, describing it as an act of extreme violence committed at a place intended to provide safety and protection for vulnerable women and children. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and praised the emergency responders who acted quickly after the shooting.
Police immediately sealed off the neighborhood surrounding the shelter, establishing a large security perimeter while forensic experts began examining the crime scene. Investigators in protective suits spent several hours collecting evidence inside and around the building. Authorities emphasized that there was no ongoing threat to the public after the suspect was apprehended.
Video footage published by local media showed heavily armed police officers surrounding and stopping a vehicle with a damaged tyre before detaining two individuals believed to be connected to the investigation. Officials have not confirmed whether the vehicle played a role in the attack. According to investigators, the suspect resides in the Hannover region. He was born in Germany and is of Turkish descent.