Nov 13, 1:01 PM
Prosecutors Indict Two Women Over Fatal Stade Youth Welfare Office Shooting
Charges filed against mother and getaway driver following the killing of six people at a welfare facility.
Public prosecutors in Germany have filed criminal charges against two women in connection with a mass shooting at a youth welfare facility in Stade that left six people dead. The 34-year-old mother of the perpetrator’s child, Enise Ö., has been charged with six counts of murder, while 65-year-old Sylvia S. faces charges for aiding the gunman, according to prosecutorial details reported by Bild.
According to the prosecution, Ö. acted as a co-perpetrator by transporting a bag containing a handgun and a knife into the facility, resulting in additional charges of illegal weapons possession. Forensics teams detected gunshot residue on her clothing and body, contradicting statements by the shooter, Fatih Khan Gazioglu, who claimed she was outside the room during the shooting. Investigators further allege that Ö. knocked down and struck a 32-year-old social worker who had jumped from a window to escape the building. Defense lawyer Mischa Gamroth stated that his client denies all allegations and will present her position during the trial.
The second defendant, Sylvia S., remained outside the building during the meeting and drove Gazioglu away in a Mercedes following the attack. Police intercepted the vehicle and arrested both occupants after a short pursuit. Investigative records indicate that the vehicle had been transferred to S. approximately five weeks prior to the shooting. In statements to investigators, S. stated that Gazioglu had threatened to shoot her if she refused to drive, while files show Gazioglu had previously sent a voice message in May threatening violence against the authorities involved in removing his child.
The incident occurred on June 29 during a formal planning session concerning the three-month-old daughter of Gazioglu and Ö., who was taken into custody by the child welfare agency amid an investigation into suspected physical abuse. Five individuals died at the scene and a sixth succumbed to injuries in the hospital. The primary suspect, Gazioglu, died by suicide on July 21 in a prison cell in Bremervörde, prompting prosecutors to terminate proceedings against him.
Written by Christiane Hofreiter christiane.hofreiter@alpineweekly.com
