Six employees of a youth welfare facility were killed Monday in a shooting in the northern German town of Stade, where investigators believe a child custody dispute triggered one of the country’s deadliest shootings in recent years.

Police arrested the suspected gunman shortly after the attack and said there was no continuing threat to the public.

Authorities initially confirmed five deaths before announcing that a sixth victim died later in a hospital after suffering critical injuries.

The victims included four women and two men, all of whom worked at the youth welfare center or one of its affiliated services, police said during a news conference.

Several other people were injured, some seriously, although investigators have not released an exact number or identified the victims.

Police identified the main suspect as a 45 year old German man.

Investigators said the attack appears to have been motivated by an ongoing custody dispute involving the suspect’s three month old daughter. The infant and her mother were inside the facility when the shooting occurred but were not injured.

Kathrin Schuol, chief constable of the Luneburg Police Headquarters, said detectives are continuing to reconstruct the sequence of events while gathering forensic evidence and witness testimony.

Daniela Behrens, interior minister for the German state of Lower Saxony, described the shooting as “an extremely cold blooded act of violence.”

“The police are investigating the motive and the exact course of events under high pressure,” Behrens said, adding that investigators believe the attack was apparently linked to a custody dispute rather than any political or economic motive.

A spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office said no arrest warrant had yet been issued because investigators were still completing the initial stages of the criminal investigation.

Police said the suspect was arrested while attempting to flee in a vehicle driven by a woman who was also taken into custody. Early findings indicate the driver is either a family member or an acquaintance of the suspect.

Authorities also confirmed that additional individuals were temporarily detained as part of the investigation, although police have not detailed their possible involvement.

The shooting occurred inside a youth welfare facility on Dankersstrasse, south of Stade’s town center. The center provides temporary accommodation and support services for pregnant women and young mothers with children.

City Councillor Carsten Brokelmann said the violence unfolded near both a day care center and a primary school.

“We are relieved that our staff and the children at the day care center and primary school are safe,” Brokelmann said. “At the same time, our deepest sympathies go out to the victims of this terrible act and their families.”

Images and video from the scene showed a large deployment of police officers, ambulances and other emergency personnel on the residential street as investigators secured the area.

Resident Vitali Mertens, who lives across from the facility, said he heard multiple gunshots before emergency responders arrived.

“I heard gunshots, and the whole area was cordoned off right away,” Mertens said.

Police had earlier warned residents to avoid the neighborhood while officers conducted what they described as a major operation. Later in the day, authorities announced there was no longer any danger to the public.

Investigators also urged people to avoid spreading rumors after unverified claims about the shooting circulated widely on social media and messaging platforms.

“The accounts currently circulating do not correspond to the facts confirmed by police,” authorities said, warning that misinformation could create unnecessary panic and interfere with the investigation.

Stade, home to about 50,000 people, is located roughly 25 miles west of Hamburg in northern Germany.

Germany maintains some of the strictest firearm regulations in Europe, and fatal mass shootings remain relatively uncommon. Nevertheless, the country has experienced several high profile attacks over the past two decades, prompting ongoing debate about public safety, mental health interventions and gun access.

Although investigators believe this attack stemmed from a personal dispute rather than terrorism or organized crime, the incident underscores the potential risks faced by employees working in family welfare and child protection services. Experts say custody disputes can become highly volatile, making security planning and threat assessment increasingly important at facilities that assist vulnerable families.

What we know so far

Six employees of a youth welfare facility were killed after a gunman opened fire inside the center in Stade. Several others were injured. Police arrested the suspected shooter shortly after the attack and said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

What authorities are saying

Investigators believe the shooting was motivated by a child custody dispute involving the suspect’s infant daughter. Officials said there is no evidence the attack was politically or economically motivated. Police continue to examine the exact sequence of events and have appealed to the public not to circulate unverified information online.

Why this matters

The shooting ranks among Germany’s deadliest incidents of gun violence in recent years. It highlights the dangers that can arise from escalating domestic disputes and raises renewed attention to security measures at child welfare facilities that serve vulnerable families.

What happens next

Police and prosecutors will continue interviewing witnesses, reviewing forensic evidence and determining whether additional charges should be filed. Investigators are also expected to examine the suspect’s background, firearm access and actions leading up to the attack before presenting the case to prosecutors.

While Germany’s strict gun laws have contributed to comparatively low levels of firearm violence, this tragedy demonstrates that isolated acts of targeted violence continue to pose significant challenges. The apparent connection to a custody dispute suggests authorities may face renewed calls to strengthen risk assessments and protective measures for family service agencies, particularly in cases involving escalating domestic conflicts. The investigation’s findings could influence future security protocols for social service institutions across Germany.

Story sources: Deutsche Welle, The Associated Press.