Six dead in northern Germany shooting at mothers and children center; suspect arrested

Six people were tragically killed in a shooting on Monday, June 29, 2026, at a youth welfare facility for mothers and children in Stade, northern Germany, near Hamburg. All six fatalities were adults who worked at the center, with five dying at the scene and a sixth succumbing to injuries at a hospital. Several other individuals also sustained wounds in the incident.

Police swiftly arrested a 45-year-old man of Turkish origin, identified as the suspected shooter, along with two other individuals, including a female companion. The primary motive for the attack is believed to be a child custody dispute involving the suspect's three-month-old daughter, who was present at the facility with her mother but remained unharmed.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect had an appointment at the center concerning custody arrangements for his child. Following the arrests, police assured the public that there was no ongoing threat to safety.