A shooting at a shelter for mothers and children in the northern German town of Stade left six people dead on Monday in what authorities believe was a child custody-related attack.
According to officials, the 45-year-old suspect had an appointment at the shelter earlier in the day before allegedly opening fire around midday. The facility is located near the port city of Hamburg.
All six victims were employees of the shelter, including four women and two men. Authorities confirmed that the suspect’s three-month-old daughter and the child’s mother were unharmed.
Police said the alleged shooter, the child’s mother, and another woman are currently in custody as investigations continue into the motive behind the attack.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed shock over the incident, saying he was deeply disturbed by the level of violence at a facility intended to protect vulnerable women and children.
Mass shootings remain relatively rare in Germany compared with many other countries. The attack has revived memories of previous deadly shootings, including the 2023 attack at a Jehovah’s Witness hall in Hamburg.
Police initially warned residents to avoid the area but later confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public. Five victims died at the scene, while a sixth later succumbed to injuries in hospital.
Authorities cordoned off the neighborhood as forensic teams examined the scene. Police said the suspect, who lives near Hannover and is of Turkish descent, remains the primary focus of the investigation.
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