A suspect is in custody after a mass shooting claimed six lives at a youth welfare facility in Stade, a town of about 50,000 near Hamburg in northern Germany.
The attack unfolded around midday at a center on Dankersstrasse that houses pregnant women and young mothers with children. Four women and two men, all staff members of the center or affiliated organizations, were killed; five died on site and a sixth later in hospital.
Several additional people sustained injuries. Authorities indicated the incident may be linked to a child‑custody dispute.
Police identified the shooter as a 45‑year‑old man who had visited the facility earlier in the day. He was arrested at the scene, and two other individuals are being investigated for possible involvement.
The suspect’s three‑month‑old daughter and the child’s mother were unharmed.
The President expressed deep shock at the violence in a location intended to protect women and children, offering condolences to victims’ families and gratitude to emergency responders.
Police initially advised the public to avoid the area but later confirmed there was no ongoing threat. Investigators continued to collect evidence on Monday evening.
Mass shootings are rare in Germany; earlier this year a vehicle attack in Leipzig resulted in two deaths and multiple injuries.
