Two people died after a fire and an ensuing incident unfolded at a supermarket in Samsun, according to police in Schwalmstadt-Treysa, located in West Germany. The confirmation from authorities came as responders cordoned off the area and began an initial assessment of what happened inside the store. The exact sequence of events remains under investigation, and officials have not released a definitive explanation for what triggered the fire and the broader disturbance that followed.
The broader context surrounding the incident remains unclear, and authorities have not indicated a clear cause or motive for the events. The District Police Department said they are working to determine how the situation began and what factors may have contributed, as crowds and emergency crews secured the supermarket and surrounding streets. Investigators are examining all available evidence to reconstruct the timeline and identify any persons who may have played a role in the series of events that led to the casualties and the fire.
Witnesses who were inside or near the store at the time described a male suspect, aged 58, who is reported to have killed a woman aged 53 before taking his own life. Police confirmed the name of the deceased has not yet been released pending identification and family notification. Authorities stressed that the primary focus at this stage is to document the incident accurately, preserve evidence, and support ongoing inquiries to determine the facts surrounding the outbreak of violence and the subsequent actions taken by the perpetrator.
Security forces have established a wide perimeter around the area while investigators sift through evidence and interview witnesses. The police stressed that there is no indication of third party involvement and that the immediate risk to the public remains assessed as low beyond the scene. The current stance is that there is no ongoing threat to the community, and officials urged residents to avoid the area until the site is deemed safe and the investigation progresses to the next stage.
According to a witness cited by several German media outlets, including the NTV television network, the shooter was first identified pursuing the woman inside the supermarket. The witness accounts describe a chaotic moment when bystanders heard screams for help, followed by gunfire and then the assailant taking his own life. The descriptions emphasize the suddenness of the attack and the fear experienced by shoppers and staff who were present when the tragedy unfolded.
In the wake of the incident, the Marburg city attorney’s office has assumed responsibility for the investigation into the facts. Officials noted that a formal case file is being assembled to document every finding, including timelines, forensic results, and statements from witnesses and first responders. The focus remains on accurate reporting and accountability, ensuring that all relevant details are collected and reviewed by the appropriate authorities as the case moves through the legal process.