The alleged perpetrator reportedly attempted to flee the scene.

13:53, Wed, Jul 8, 2026 Updated: 14:50, Wed, Jul 8, 2026

German police officer seen from behind in a yellow vest with Polizei text, standing by patrol car. S

Police confirmed a 'suspected perpetrator has been arrested' (Image: Getty Images)

Several people have been wounded and a suspect arrested in an apparent horror attack at a secondary school in Germany. Police deployed more than 15 patrol cars to Welfen-Gymnasium in Schongau, a town southwest of Munich, after reports of a serious incident at the school.

According to a police spokesperson speaking to Bavarian broadcaster BR, there were indications of a possible shooting spree, prompting authorities to urge the public to stay away from the area. The alarm was raised at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time during school hours. Several people are reported to have suffered stab wounds, although it remains unclear whether those injured are students, teachers, or other members of the school community.

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Police deployed more than 15 patrol cars to Welfen-Gymnasium in Schongau

Police deployed more than 15 patrol cars to Welfen-Gymnasium in Schongau (Image: Google Maps)

Local police posted on X: "A suspected perpetrator has been arrested. The number of people involved and the severity of the injuries are currently being clarified."

A police spokesperson told German outlet BILD: "We cannot rule out the possibility of a school shooting."

Schongau is a small town on the banks of the Lech River in western Upper Bavaria, just north of the Alps, with a population of more than 12,000 people.

Police has urged the public to continue to stay away from the scene. They said in an earlier post: "A major police operation is underway. We are on site with numerous forces."

Cars by Police and rescue personnel are parked near the secondary school Schongau,

Cars by Police and rescue personnel are parked near the secondary school Schongau (Image: AFP)

The man had attended a scheduled appointment at a shelter in Stade, near the port city of Hamburg, earlier in the morning before allegedly opening fire around midday.

All six victims—four women and two men—were employees of the facility. Authorities confirmed that the man's three-month-old daughter and the child's mother were unharmed and are safe.