German police officials informed that nearly five people were killed and some have reportedly got several injuries in a shooting at a youth welfare facility in the northern German town of Stade on Monday, prompting an operation across the area.
Following the incident, two people were detained, including the suspected gunman, while investigators worked to determine the circumstances regarding the attack.
Authorities confirmed that the public is currently safe from any threat.
An eyewitness saw a man and a woman trying to flee the scene by car before being intercepted by police, according to FOCUS online.
As per German media, the youth welfare facility houses mother-and-child residential groups that support vulnerable young mothers and children.
Although further details regarding the victims, whether they were residents or staff, remains under wraps.
Emergency services, forensic teams and a large contingent of police officers were immediately deployed to the scene as investigators secured the area and urged residents to avoid the neighbourhood while the operation continued.
Moreover, police urged the public to refrain from spreading any false information as the investigation is underway.
The major motive behind the shooting has yet to be established, and authorities have kept the details of victims undisclosed.
Stade, a town of around 50,000 residents situated nearly 40 kilometres west of Hamburg, rarely experiences incidents of this nature. Germany has relatively strict gun laws, and mass shootings remain uncommon compared with many other countries.
