Five dead following shooting in Stade in northern Germany

A suspect was arrested, German news agency dpa reported, citing police.

Five people were killed in a shooting on Monday in the northern German town of Stade, police said.

Two people have been apprehended at the scene, including the suspected shooter, police confirmed.

Stade is located approximately 45 kilometers west of Hamburg in northern Germany.

The incident happened at a youth welfare facility which includes supported accommodation for young mothers in Stade, near Hamburg in northern Germany.

There is no active danger to the public, police said.

The motive for the shooting and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear at this stage.

Some of those caught up in the shooting were “seriously” injured, a police spokesperson told the German news agency dpa, NTV and HAZ reported.

Local police in Stade have warned against “unconfirmed information” spreading on WhatsApp groups and social media, saying these reports – without specifying what they said – “do not reflect the current officially confirmed information from the police.” 

“Please do not forward unverified reports, voice messages, or rumors. This can cause confusion and hinder police operations,” it added.

More to follow...