The main suspect in yesterday’s shooting in Utrecht has been found to be Gökmen T. The police also have two other suspects in custody, who have been found to be brothers, though they are not related to him, reports NOS. The main suspect was traced thanks to an internet banking transaction. It is not yet known who he was transferring the money to, report De Telegraaf and AD.
What we know about the suspects
Gökmen T. is a 37-year-old man who had to appear in three different cases two weeks ago: shoplifting, burglary, and a rape case. He has been convicted for the first two this month, while the rape case will be concluded in July.
Back in 2017, he was arrested and detained for a month for rape charges against him. He was released on certain conditions that he submits to investigation and undergoes treatment for his mental health issues. He was arrested for six weeks for violating these conditions of his release on the rape case against him and was released on March 1 when his lawyer contested them.
Adding to this criminal history, there was also a homicide attempt in 2013, and shoplifting in 2014. He has also been a suspect in at least nine different cases since 2012, reports NOS. He has been described as an unstable person who has had many problems and run-ins with the police by his neighbours.
According to NOS, the other two suspects in custody are brothers, though their lawyer says they are completely in the dark as to why they have been arrested.
Last night the policed reported that the main suspect, a 37-year old man from Utrecht, was arrested in a house at the Oudenoord in Utrecht. No direct relations have been found between the main suspect and the victims. #24oktoberplein
— Politie Utrecht (@PolitieUtrecht) March 19, 2019
Victim support
The police have also not found any relation between them and the victims of the shooting. In their twitter thread, they have identified all the victims who were killed and who were seriously injured.
Three people were killed by the shooting. The victims are a 19 y/o woman from Vianen and two men from Utrecht. They were 28 and 49 y/o. Also three people were severely injured (a woman (20) from Utrecht, a man (74) from De Meern and a woman (21) from Nieuwegein. #24oktoberplein
— Politie Utrecht (@PolitieUtrecht) March 19, 2019
There are also victim support centers being opened up around the city so that anyone affected by the shooting can get immediate support.
RT @GemeenteUtrecht Wil je met iemand praten of bellen? @Slachtofferhulp Nederland is aanwezig bij de buurtcentra of bel met 0900 – 0101. Meer info in de folder: https://t.co/mY0jJgXiNu
— Politie Utrecht (@PolitieUtrecht) March 19, 2019
RT @GemeenteUtrecht Om 13:00 uur opent condoleanceregister voor slachtoffers van schietincident dat gisteren plaatsvond #24Oktoberplein. Mensen die hun medeleven met de nabestaanden willen betuigen, kunnen terecht op het stadskantoor en wijkservicecentrum Vleuten-De Meern.
— Politie Utrecht (@PolitieUtrecht) March 19, 2019
Feat image cc: @michadrost/twitter