Stade (HRNW)- At least six people were killed and several others were injured in a tragic shooting at a maternity and child welfare center in the northern German city of Stade, authorities said.
According to German police, preliminary investigations indicate that the shooting was linked to a family dispute involving child custody.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. local time on Monday, when the suspect allegedly opened fire inside the facility. Four women and two men were killed, while several injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals. One of the injured later succumbed to their wounds.
Authorities said the suspect’s three-month-old daughter and the child’s mother were present at the center during the shooting but escaped unharmed.
Police identified the main suspect as a 45-year-old German citizen of Turkish origin from the city of Hanover. Investigators said he had arrived at the center for a meeting related to the custody of his daughter.
According to investigators, the suspect had a history of making threats but was not previously classified as a violent offender and did not hold a legal firearm license.
Following the attack, the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle with a woman. After a police pursuit, officers stopped the car and detained three individuals, including the main suspect. Police confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Forensic teams secured the crime scene and collected evidence, while children at a nearby school and daycare center were safely reunited with their parents as a precautionary measure. Authorities have launched a full investigation, and the suspect is currently being questioned.
Stade, a city of around 50,000 residents located approximately 30 kilometers west of Hamburg, has been left in shock following the deadly incident.
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