Gunman kills six at German mothers' centre in shooting

Mon Sep 07 2026 11:05:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A 45‑year‑old Turkish‑German man fired at a wellbeing centre in Stade, West Germany, killing four women and two men, authorities said.

A shooting at a mothers and children centre in Stade, Germany, left six staff members dead and caused multiple injuries. The gunman, a 45‑year‑old Turkish‑German, was reportedly in a custody dispute over his baby daughter. Police detained the suspect and another woman after the assault, firing at a vehicle to prevent escape. Authorities say the attack had no political or economic motive and was driven by personal family reasons.

Gunman kills six at German mothers' centre in shooting

On Monday afternoon, a 45‑year‑old Turkish‑German man opened fire inside the youth welfare facility on Dankerstraße in Stade, a town 30 km west of Hamburg. The shooter, who had been attending a meeting about custody of his three‑month‑old daughter, killed four women and two men, all staff members of the centre, before a sixth victim succumbed to injuries at a hospital later that day.

Police confirmed that the suspect and a female companion fled the scene in a car, which was later halted by armed officers. The vehicle was set on a roadblock where officers fired repeatedly to prevent escape, after politely ordering the occupants to step out. The suspect was taken into custody within hours, while the companion was also detained.

Downing the attackers, Interior Minister Daniela Behrens described the incident as "an act of violence carried out in an extremely cold‑blooded manner, with no political or economic motives." She cited a "family reasons" explanation based on the dispute over the custody of the suspect's daughter.

The incident began around 12:10 local time (10:10 GMT) when shots were heard inside the building. Authorities warned residents to avoid the area and promptly dispatched large numbers of police and emergency personnel to the scene. Children at a nearby daycare and primary school were picked up by their parents while the city ensured safety measures.

Stade, which has a population of about 50,000, has seen a rapid response from the local police. Their chief stated that the suspect was known for making threats but had no firearms licence. The incident highlights the continuing challenge of ensuring public safety in community services.