Sabine Radmacher was born in 1969 in Ludwigshafen, Germany. She pursued a career in law, earning her license to practice as an attorney in December 2009. Radmacher was known to be a member of a shooting club in Mosbach until 1996, where she developed proficiency with firearms. She legally owned a .22-caliber Walther GSP pistol, which she used during the events in Lörrach. In her personal life, Radmacher experienced significant challenges, including a miscarriage in 2004 and a separation from her husband in June 2010. Following their separation, their five-year-old son lived with his father during the week and spent weekends with Radmacher. She maintained a law office in her apartment in Lörrach, where she resided after the separation.​

On September 19, 2010, in Lörrach, Germany, Sabine Radmacher committed a series of violent acts resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The sequence of events began in her apartment on Markus-Pflüger-Straße, which also served as her law office. When her estranged husband arrived to pick up their son, Radmacher shot him in the head and neck, killing him instantly. She then rendered her five-year-old son unconscious by striking him on the head multiple times before suffocating him with a plastic bag. After these murders, Radmacher spread approximately 70 liters of a flammable mixture throughout her apartment and set it on fire, causing a significant explosion that injured 15 residents due to smoke inhalation.​

Following the explosion, Radmacher armed herself with her Walther GSP pistol and a knife, carrying approximately 300 rounds of ammunition. She crossed the street to St. Elisabethen Hospital, where she shot and severely injured two passersby. Upon entering the hospital's gynecology ward, she encountered a 56-year-old surgical nurse who attempted to prevent her from advancing further. Radmacher shot the nurse three times in the head and inflicted multiple stab wounds, resulting in his death. She also shot a police officer who was present at the hospital, injuring him in the kneecap. A ten-minute exchange of gunfire ensued between Radmacher and responding police officers, culminating in Radmacher being fatally shot by the SEK (Spezialeinsatzkommando) units.​

Investigations revealed that Radmacher had legally obtained her firearm and possessed the necessary permits. She had also stored additional firearms with an acquaintance, expressing interest in obtaining a hunting license. Authorities discovered that she had accumulated a substantial amount of flammable liquids prior to the incident, indicating premeditation. While the exact motive remains unclear, factors such as her recent separation, custody arrangements, professional challenges, and past miscarriage at the same hospital were considered potential contributing elements. The incident prompted discussions in Germany regarding firearm regulations and the psychological well-being of individuals with access to weapons.