Following the shocking stabbing incident on Thursday afternoon at Amsterdam’s Dam Square, authorities have released new details about the victims.
The five victims include a 69-year-old man and 67-year-old woman with American nationality, a 26-year-old Polish man, a 73-year-old Belgian woman and a 19-year-old woman from Amsterdam.
A rare “citizen’s arrest”
The suspect was tackled and restrained by a bystander before the police arrived, which is a rare “citizen’s arrest” in action.
According to Dutch law, civilians are permitted to detain a suspect if they catch them red-handed, but this is not encouraged in everyday situations.
Police have stated that the attack appears to be random, with no clear pattern between the victims. RTL Nieuws reports that investigations confirming this are ongoing.
Hotel raid in search of motive
Authorities are still trying to pinpoint the reason for the stabbing. It is unclear whether the arrested suspect, who is also injured, used multiple weapons during his spree.
Last night, police investigated a nearby hotel on Damrak, but have not yet confirmed if it is linked to the suspect.
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A hotel receptionist reported that about twenty police officers searched a room at the hotel for over an hour.
Witnesses stunned
Eyewitnesses were left horrified. Some reported seeing a knife of at least 10 centimeters in a victim’s back.
Others saw a hooded man walking towards Dam as bystanders fled into nearby shops.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema expressed in a statement, “We hope to get more clarity soon about the background of this horrible stabbing. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and loved ones.”
Meanwhile, investigations into the attack continue.
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