At least five people were killed today in a shooting in the northern German town of Stade, and a suspect has been taken into custody, according to local media reports.
Following the initial response, police announced that there was no longer any “danger to the public” and confirmed that a second suspect had also been detained.
“The investigation into the circumstances and the exact sequence of events is ongoing,” police sources stated, adding that injuries had also been reported, though an exact figure was not disclosed.
Local authorities in Stade had previously stated they were conducting a large-scale operation in an area just outside the town center. Stade, which has a population of roughly 50,000 residents, is located about 40 kilometers from Hamburg, according to public broadcaster NDR.
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“A major police operation is currently underway on Dankerstrasse in Stade. We ask you to clear and avoid the area for your own safety and to follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel on site,” the police department warned earlier via its WhatsApp channel.
According to private television network NTV, the shooting took place inside a youth care facility, where the alleged perpetrator was subsequently arrested. Records indicate that a care center for pregnant women, mothers with young children, and children under the age of six is situated on Dankerstrasse.
Police emphasized that updated information will be provided as the situation develops, urging the public not to spread rumors or rely on unverified, unofficial reports.
