A shooting at a youth welfare facility in northern Germany on Monday resulted in six fatalities, police stated. The suspected shooter has been arrested.
Police confirmed that five individuals—four women and one man—died at the Stade scene of the incident. A sixth adult victim passed away later while receiving hospital care.
German news agency dpa reported that several people were injured in the shooting, some seriously, though specific figures or information regarding the victims' identities were not provided by police.
Police indicated the shooting occurred within the facility located on Dankersstrasse, a street situated south of the town center. This facility provides temporary housing for pregnant women or young mothers with children.
There was no immediate statement regarding a potential motive for the violence.
A primary suspect has been taken into custody, while two other individuals are subject to "police measures" due to suspected involvement, police stated in a release without further detail.
Video footage captured after the shooting displayed a substantial police presence, alongside various emergency service personnel and multiple ambulances on a residential street.
Germany maintains gun laws that are more stringent than those in the United States; mass shootings remain uncommon but have occurred.
Vitali Mertens, who resides across from the location, reported hearing gunfire and noted that "the whole area was cordoned off right away."
Stade has a population of approximately 50,000 inhabitants and is situated about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Hamburg.