Rotterdam, Netherlands – A gunman wearing combat clothing shot and killed a teacher, a local woman, and her daughter in a series of violent attacks, as stated by the Dutch police.
The 32-year-old suspect, identified as a university student, first fatally shot a 39-year-old woman in his neighborhood and seriously injured her 14-year-old daughter. Tragically, the young girl later succumbed to her injuries. After setting the woman’s house on fire, the assailant proceeded to the university hospital, Erasmus Medical Center, where he entered a classroom and shot dead a 46-year-old teacher. The man was arrested near the hospital, where he also set a fire. The motive behind his actions remains unknown.
Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb expressed shock at the incident and extended his condolences to the victims. He acknowledged the impact of the shootings on the entire city, stating that emotions were running high.
According to Rotterdam’s chief prosecutor, Hugo Hillenaar, the suspect was known to law enforcement and had been prosecuted and convicted for animal abuse in 2021.
Videos posted online captured the unsettling scenes, showing police instructing students, some wearing medical gowns, to evacuate the premises as heavily armed arrest teams arrived at the scene. The suspect, now in custody, was seen in handcuffs wearing what appeared to be camouflage pants.
Police emphasized that there were no indications of a second shooter, seeking to reassure the public amid the chaos and tragic events that unfolded.
The community is left reeling from the incomprehensible violence that has struck their city, as authorities work to piece together the sequence of events and understand the underlying motivations behind the gunman’s actions.
The aftermath of the shooting has left the city in mourning, with questions lingering about how such a tragedy could occur. As society grapples with the impact of such senseless violence, the focus shifts to providing support for the victims and their families, and seeking answers to prevent such tragedies in the future.