Five people are dead following a shooting at a "youth welfare centre" in Stade, northern Germany, police have said.
Two people have been arrested, one of whom is a suspect, a police spokesperson said.
They have not provided information on the age of the victims nor the possible motive of the perpetrator.
A number of people were also injured in the shooting just west of Hamburg. Police said there was no further threat to the public.
"Homicides involving multiple victims occurred at a youth welfare facility" in the city, local police said in a statement.
"Five people were fatally injured and additional individuals sustained injuries."
Police urged the public to avoid the area.
Large numbers of emergency personnel were deployed to the scene.
The city, located about 30km (19 miles) west of Hamburg, has a population of around 50,000 people.
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