Netherlands: Three dead after shooting incident in Rotterdad, suspect arrested
Sep 28, 2023
Amsterdam [Netherlands], September 29 : A 32-year-old student was arrested after a “targeted” shooting rampage in the Dutch city of Rotterdam left three people dead on Thursday, CNN reported citing local authorities.
According to police spokesman Fred Westerbeke, the shooting first erupted in a private home on the city’s Heiman Dullaert square.
The suspected gunman fatally shot a 39-year-old woman and “seriously injured” her 14-year-old daughter, before setting the house on fire. The teenager was hospitalized but later succumbed to her injuries, CNN reported.
The suspect later went into a classroom at the prestigious Erasmus University Medical Center nearby, where he fatally shot a 46-year-old doctor.
The alleged gunman – who studied at Erasmus University – was ultimately arrested under the hospital’s helipad, Westerbeke said.
“After this, the shooter went to another part of the EMC. He also set a fire there. The suspect was then arrested under the helicopter deck of the EMC by the arrest team, the special interventions service,” CNN quoted the police spokesperson as saying.
The authorities believe that the suspected gunman acted alone.
“We see his act as a targeted action, but it requires further research to gain clarity about how and why,” Westerbeke added.
The social media posts by local police described the suspect as tall with black hair, wearing “combat-style” clothes and carrying a backpack. He had a gun in his pocket and was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he was detained, CNN reported citing Westerbeke.
CNN affiliate NOS reported that the suspect has a criminal record, including being convicted of animal abuse in 2021.
Netherlands’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday afternoon expressed his “great dismay” after the two shootings.
“My thoughts are with the victims of the violence, their loved ones and all those who have been in great fear. Many thanks to the people of the services for their actions and assistance at the scene,” the PM posted on X (formerly Twitter).
