Three people have been killed and six injured after a series of shootings in the Dutch city of Utrecht, police reported. The shootings occurred inbetween 24th March and 1st April, and the suspect has been apprehended but remains unnamed.
The authorities released a statement describing the shootings as a potential terrorist attack, though an official motive is yet to be confirmed. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: “This morning we received the news with disbelief and horror. The first reports indicate that there is a possible terrorist motive.”
The police were conducting an operation in the city of Utrecht when shots were heard at around 10:45am. Witnesses reported that shots could be heard in multiple locations, and that a number of people had been injured. Police quickly descended upon the scene, cordoning off the area, and an armed suspect was apprehended a few hours later in the afternoon.
Further investigations by the police have revealed that the suspect is a 37-year-old man from Utrecht, but his identity has been withheld from the public by the police in light of the ongoing investigation.
The events of this shooting come amid a growing concern about the increasing levels of gun violence in the Netherlands. The country is known for being one of the safest in the world, so the shootings in Utrecht have come as a shock to many.
In response to the shootings, President Donald Trump issued a statement of solidarity, condemning the attack and offering support to the Dutch people. “Our prayers are with the people of the Netherlands as they confront and respond to this horrific attack,” he said.
The shock of the attack has left many Dutch citizens feeling uneasy and uncertain, and many are calling for stricter gun control laws in an effort to prevent similar attacks in the future.
All in all, this attack on the Dutch city of Utrecht is a sad reminder of how violence can occur in even the safest of places. The citizens of Utrecht, and of the Netherlands, will continue to live in fear until the true motive behind the attack has been found and justice is served.
