SPD politician Kurku reveals familial connection to suspect in Stade case

Background of the crime

The 65-year-old woman is at the center of criminal investigations because, according to the investigators, she allegedly drove the 45-year-old suspected shooter to the meeting point and operated the getaway vehicle. Nonetheless, the Stade public prosecutor's office did not issue an arrest warrant against her. The authority explained that whether and what charge will be brought can only be decided after the conclusion of the investigations. The 45-year-old suspected shooter is meanwhile in pre-trial detention on suspicion of six-fold murder.

The suspect was apprehended on Monday while fleeing the crime scene, after police shot at the car's tires and took the occupants into custody. According to current investigative information, the authorities assume that a custody dispute was the motive for the deadly shots. According to the investigators, the shooter holds Turkish citizenship.

Kurku communicated the familial connection through his attorney in an official statement. He himself stated: „Unmittelbar, nachdem ich aufgrund von Medienberichten von der Betroffenheit meiner Schwiegermutter Kenntnis erhalten hatte, habe ich dieses den Ermittlungsbehörden und weiteren Stellen in meinem beruflichen Umfeld mitgeteilt." The SPD as well as Minister President Olaf Lies were also informed.

Kurku's statement and condolences

Through his attorney, Kurku also expressed his condolences and offered the victims and their relatives his „tief empfundene Anteilnahme". In a further statement it says: „Meine Gedanken sind bei den Opfern, ihren Angehörigen, den ihnen nahestehenden Personen und all jenen, die diese schreckliche Tat miterleben mussten." The attorney also emphasized that his client had „selbstverständlich keine Erkenntnisse vor der Tat von der möglichen Tat".

Backing from the SPD and state government

Kurku received backing from within his own ranks. SPD faction leader Stefan Politze in the Lower Saxony state parliament defended him and described him as a "highly respected" and "außerordentlich engagiert" member of parliament. Politze emphasized: „Er hat deutlich gemacht, dass er keinerlei Kenntnis davon hatte", and warned: „Spekulationen und pauschale Schuldzuweisungen gegenüber unbeteiligten Angehörigen sind unangemessen und werden der Schwere der Tat nicht gerecht." No personal or political responsibility of Kurku for the actions of others can be derived from this: „Daraus erwächst weder eine politische noch eine persönliche Verantwortung für Handlungen anderer."

According to information from the State Chancellery, Minister President Olaf Lies wished Kurku and his family strength to cope with this difficult situation. The State Chancellery also emphasized that Kurku carries out his office "mit größtem, persönlichen Engagement". According to NDR information, the 65-year-old mother-in-law had already attempted to present her perspective on the family history in a letter to the NDR and other media three days before the crime.

Behind the scenes, the investigations into the so-called Stade case continue. Six people were killed by gunshots in a youth facility in Stade. The role of the 65-year-old woman in the course of events remains, according to the Stade public prosecutor's office, the subject of the ongoing investigation. Police had questioned the woman after the crime; whether an arrest warrant will be issued against her depends on the conclusion of the investigations.