Five people were killed in a shooting at a youth welfare facility in the northern German city of Stade, police said on Monday.
Stade police said several other people were injured in the shooting.
Police said they have arrested two suspects, including the suspect in the shooting. An investigation into the situation is ongoing.
Police told CNN the area has been cleared and there is no ongoing threat to the public. Police urged the public to avoid the area.
Local councilor Carsten Brokelmann said the city operates a day care facility and an elementary school in the immediate vicinity of the shooting scene.
“I am relieved that all staff and children at the nursery and primary school are safe and sound. I would like to thank the police for their efforts during this chaotic situation,” he said in a statement.
“At the same time, we extend our deepest condolences to the victims of this horrific act and their families,” Brokelman said.
Police warned that unconfirmed information about the incident was circulating online and urged people not to spread any rumors as they could hinder the investigation.
Stade is a historic town approximately 45 kilometers (27 miles) west of Hamburg with a population of approximately 50,000 people.
Mass shootings are rare in Germany. This country has strict gun ownership laws and requires a permit. To obtain a permit to own a gun, residents must prove they are trustworthy, take a training course and exam, and demonstrate a need to own a weapon.
According to German government data, about 929,000 people in the country of 83 million own just over 3 million guns.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
