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Agence France-Presse

Dutch police were investigating the motive of a gunman who went on a shooting rampage at a house and a hospital in Rotterdam, killing a 14-year-old girl, her mother, and a teacher.
Police said the 32-year-old suspect, who was dressed in combat gear and a bulletproof vest, also set fire at the hospital and in the house on Thursday.
The man first burst into a house in the Dutch port city and opened fire, killing a 39-year-old woman and seriously injuring her 14-year-old daughter, police chief Fred Westerbeke told reporters. The girl later died of her injuries.
He then entered a classroom at the Erasmus MC university hospital, shooting dead a 43-year-old teacher before starting a fire in the facility, sparking panic.

Elite police stormed the hospital, as panicked medical staff in white coats flooded out of the building pushing patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers.
One patient, Angeliek Vleesenbeek, said she was standing just outside the hospital having coffee when pandemonium broke out.
Two dead in shooting at Dutch ‘care farm’
“It was drama. It really was drama,” the 54-year-old said, still hooked up to her intravenous drip.
Police shouted at everyone to run to a nearby school, she recounted. “They told us to stay there and we couldn’t go outside again. I’ve been there for a few hours with other patients, nurses, doctors. I saw a witness crying,” she said.
“You don’t expect this in the Netherlands,” 38-year-old civil servant Sem Built said. “In the United States yes, but here in the Netherlands? I would never have expected a teacher (to be killed),” added Built, who watched the drama unfold from a nearby children’s unit.
The gunman was taken into custody and chief public prosecutor Hugo Hillenaar told reporters he was cooperating with police following his arrest.
“We cannot say anything about the motive of this terrible act at this time. The probe is still ongoing,” said Hillenaar.

The suspect was thought to have possessed only one firearm and there is no indication he had accomplices, authorities said.
Police said the suspect, a student at the hospital, was already known to the authorities over a conviction for animal cruelty, reportedly for abusing his pet rabbit.
An investigation is under way as to whether he was a student of the teacher shot dead. One possible theory police have is that he was rejected for a course at the university hospital.
Famed Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries dies after shooting
Authorities believe that the woman and her daughter were close neighbours of the suspect, leading Westerbeke to suggest they were “targeted attacks”.
On Friday, the prosecutor’s spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of a letter from prosecutors to the Erasmus MC university hospital circulating in Dutch media. It described “psychotic behaviour” and alcohol troubles as well as complaints from neighbours over the suspect’s treatment of animals. The letter’s date was not visible.
“I presume that the information above will contribute to the decision as to whether the person concerned should be eligible for a general doctor’s diploma,” the letter said.

Regional broadcaster Rijnmond said the school then decided not to award the diploma to the man, whom it other media identified as Fouad L. The prosecutors’ spokesperson declined to comment on that.
The suspect is due to appear before a judge on October 3, the prosecutor’s office said.
“I am angry and sad,” said Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, who spoke of a “very dark day” for his city.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke of his “great dismay” at the shootings while King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said their hearts went out to those suffering “intense grief”.
Rotterdam is often the scene of shootings, usually attributed to score settling by rival drug gangs.
In 2019, three people were shot dead on a tram in Utrecht, sparking a huge manhunt.
And in 2011, the country was left shocked when 24-year-old Tristan van der Vlis killed six people and wounded 10 others in a rampage at a packed shopping centre.
Additional reporting by Reuters


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The Netherlands

Rotterdam shootings: Dutch police investigate motive of gunman who killed 3 at house and university hospital

Netherlands’ special intervention police officers at the Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam. Photo: TNS

Medical staff running out of the hospital. Photo: AFP

The residential building where a 39-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter were shot. Photo: EPA-EFE

The scene at the hospital. Photo: Reuters

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Supporters of Feyenoord football team light flares outside De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam on Sunday. Photo: ANP / AFP

Feyenoord’s players’ bus arrives as fans light flares outside De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam on Sunday. Photo: ANP / AFP

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Two people in a Dutch ‘care farm’ by the famous Kinderdijk windmills near Rotterdam have been shot dead. Photo: AFP

News

World

Europe

Gunman, a 32-year old student, is in police custody after twin shootings in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam
Dutch authorities had rung alarm bells about suspect’s ‘psychotic behaviour’ before Thursday’s attacks


Dutch police were investigating the motive of a gunman who went on a shooting rampage at a house and a hospital in Rotterdam, killing a 14-year-old girl, her mother, and a teacher.


Crime

Mark Rutte