Five people were killed Monday after a gunman opened fire at a youth welfare facility in Stade, a northern German town west of Hamburg, authorities said.
Police detained two people after the shooting, including one person believed to be the gunman, according to Reuters.
The motive was not immediately clear.
Authorities said no additional suspects were being sought, though the second detained person’s possible involvement remained under investigation.
The shooting unfolded in Stade, a town of fewer than 50,000 residents in Lower Saxony, about 100 miles west of Hamburg.
Local reports said the attack took place at a youth center in the central part of the town.
Police launched a major operation on Dankersstraße and urged residents to stay away from the area as emergency crews swarmed the scene.
According to DW.com, Germany’s public international broadcaster, Stade police said in a statement shared on WhatsApp that a “major operation” was underway on Dankersstraße [a major street in Stade], calling on citizens to “steer clear of the area” and follow the instructions of the emergency services on the scene.
A shooting in northern Germany, has left 5 dead. 2 people have been taken into custody, including the suspected gunman. The role of the second detainee is unclear. Police have not confirmed how many injured and say there are no other suspects at large. pic.twitter.com/ZrvQzZgtvb
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 29, 2026
Early reports mentioned the possibility of multiple attackers, but police had not confirmed that.
The victims were adults, according to Reuters.
Authorities had not immediately confirmed how many people were injured.
The shooting stunned the quiet town and triggered a heavy law enforcement response as investigators worked to determine what sparked the attack.
Mass shootings remain relatively rare in Germany, though the country has seen several high-profile attacks in recent years.
Officials are expected to release more details as police continue reviewing the scene, interviewing witnesses and investigating the suspects.
