Five people lost their lives Monday in a shooting at a youth welfare facility in Stade, a town in northern Germany, according to police. Two individuals were taken into custody in connection with the incident, one of whom is believed to be the gunman.
Authorities confirmed that additional people were injured in the attack, though no specific number of wounded was provided.
The shooting occurred at a facility on Dankersstrasse, a street located south of Stade’s town center. The facility serves as temporary housing for pregnant women and young mothers with children.
Police stated there is no ongoing threat to the general public. Video recorded after the shooting showed a heavy law enforcement presence at the scene, joined by other emergency responders and multiple ambulances.
Investigators said they are actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and piece together exactly what took place.
Germany maintains stricter gun laws than the United States, and while mass shootings in the country are uncommon, they are not without precedent.
Stade is home to roughly 50,000 residents and sits approximately 40 kilometers — about 25 miles — from the city of Hamburg.
