The Prosecutor’s Office of Stade indicted two women, aged 34 and 65, at the Landgericht Stade Tuesday following the fatal shootings at a youth welfare institution on Dankersstraße. The Prosecutor’s Office of Stade announced this on Friday. Six people were shot during the incident on June 29; five victims died at the scene, and one later in the hospital.
The presumed shooter, a 45-year-old man, took his own life in custody on July 21; the proceedings against him have been discontinued. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the 34-year-old mother from Garbsen was aware of the alleged perpetrator’s intentions, shared his motive, and actively supported him in preparations and during the attack. She is charged with murder. The crime allegedly fulfills the characteristic of treachery because the victims were unsuspecting and did not expect an attack during a conversation; furthermore, the authorities suspect low motives.
The 65-year-old woman is also said to have been aware of the presumed shooter’s plans before the crime. She is accused of supporting him in preparation and subsequently transporting him away from the scene in a car; she is charged with aiding and abetting murder in six cases. During the flight, a police officer fired three targeted shots at the vehicle. The car subsequently drove slowly and was stopped at a police roadblock after a few kilometers; both occupants were arrested.
In another proceeding, the Prosecutor’s Office of Stade indicted a 49-year-old kiosk owner from Berlin on November 7. He allegedly sold the pistol used in the crime and 21 rounds of ammunition to the later shooter just days before the attack. Considering the circumstances of the purchase, he must have realized that the weapon would soon be used to shoot people; the Prosecutor’s Office therefore charges him with contributing to the killing of the six people through the sale of weapons. He is also charged with unauthorized weapons possession and arms trafficking. The man was arrested on August 31 and has been in custody since.
The Prosecutor’s Office has requested the connection of the two proceedings. The competent assize chamber of the Landgericht Stade must now decide on the opening of the principal trial. The presumption of innocence applies.
