Dutch police arrest suspect of Rotterdam’s deadly shooting spree

His motive is still unknown

Rotterdam police have now arrested a suspect in connection to the three fatal shootings that took place in the IJsselmonde district. 

According to the NOS, the suspect is a 24-year-old man without a fixed address. He is currently in custody and can only speak to his lawyer. 

He was arrested after a third shooting

The suspect was arrested yesterday (January 2) at around 11:15 PM in Emelissedijk, a bit south of where the three shootings took place. 

The police also found a firearm, but it’s unclear whether it was the same weapon that was used in the killings. 

This is the second suspect arrested in connection to the case. The first was a 20-year-old Amsterdammer who turned out not to have been involved in any way and has now been released. 

The arrest of the 24-year-old followed shortly after the police had released a clearer image of the suspect, captured on the same day as the third shooting. 

The police also cautioned IJsselmonde residents to be extra careful and avoid going out alone in the hours following the attack, but that warning has been lifted now that the suspect is in custody. 

Not a settling of scores

The first shooting took place on December 21, when a 63-year-old man was found seriously injured on a bike path in Reyerdijk and would later die of his injuries.

One week later, on December 28, a second victim was found. A 58-year-old man from the same city was found dead in a similar fashion: on a bicycle path in the adjacent district of Beverwaard.

The last shooting took place yesterday morning (January 2), when an 81-year-old man was shot and ultimately succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. 

According to NU.nl, the victims don’t appear to have been connected to organised crime.

The police are unaware of any obvious motives and, as a result, they aren’t ruling out that the victims were chosen at random. 

Dig what you’re reading? Get more of it! Join our WhatsApp channel or Instagram broadcast to get the latest news straight to your pocket. ⚡️

Feature Image:Depositphotos
Lina Leskovec
Lina Leskovec
Lina moved from Slovenia to the Netherlands in 2021. Three years in Amsterdam got her a Bachelor’s in Political Science and made her an advocate for biking in the rain. Her main expertise include getting the most out of her Museumkaart purchase and finding the best coffee spots in Amsterdam.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Latest posts

VPNs in the Netherlands: The ultimate 2025 guide

The Netherlands’ fastest and most reliable VPNs enable you to protect your privacy online, access region-locked content, and securely browse the net. 🤳 Whether you’re...

7 ways Dutchies and Italians are more alike than you think

At first glance, Italians and the Dutch seem worlds apart, shaped by different histories, climates, and habits, but what’s less often explored is what...

Amsterdam officials tell people to avoid the city centre on King’s Day

Amsterdam’s got one royal request this King’s Day: keep the party local and don’t crush the canals. The city council is waving the orange flag...

It's happening