Overview
- Police say that during a scheduled custody meeting at a mother‑child youth welfare facility several shots were fired on Monday, leaving six adult staff members dead and several others injured.
- A 45‑year‑old man from the Hannover area was arrested after a short car flight in which officers shot at the vehicle to stop it and detained him along with a woman who drove the escape car.
- Authorities say the suspect had prior police records for threats, did not hold a firearms permit, and a weapon was seized, though investigators have not yet released technical details about the firearm.
- Investigators have set up a homicide commission, opened an online tip portal and are continuing scene forensics while prosecutors prepare a decision on requesting pretrial detention and possible additional charges.
- Local officials stressed that the victims were staff of the Jugendhilfe and Jugendamt rather than residents, that the child and mother present survived and are now in youth‑welfare care, and crisis support has been offered to witnesses and families.