Thursday, 18 February 2016 - 12:15
BMX racer Elco Gjaltema, 37, killed in front of Amsterdam home
The man who was shot and killed across the street from the Panama night club in Amsterdam on Wednesday night was identified as 37-year-old Elco Gjaltema according to Het Parool. The Amsterdam man was not connected with any serious crimes in his past, the police said in a press release on Thursday.
Gjaltema was gunned down while sitting in his car around 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday. He was hit several times in what police believe was a targeting shooting. First bystanders, then the emergency services tried to revive him, but to no avail, police confirmed. He died at the scene.
One eyewitness told Het Parool that he heard four gunshots as he turned onto the Oostelijke Handelskade. According to him, Gjaltema died immediately. "He was slumped over his steering wheel. For me there was no doubt. He was already dead", the witness said.
The eyewitness saw a person running away and then speeding off in a white car - an Audi with white number plates with black letters and numbers. A burning car was found in Duivendrecht a short time later. The police believe this was the getaway car and that the perpetrators continued their flight in a dark colored car, possibly a Fiat or Peugeot.
Immediately after the shooting, some witnesses reported hearing as many as six gunshots.
According to the newspaper, Gjaltema was active in the BMX world and raced at a relatively high level. In 2014 he placed 3rd in the 3 Nations BMX World Cup and came 8th in the BMX world Championships in Rotterdam. More recently he devoted his time to establishing his fashion brand RebelsInk.
Gjaltema's bullet-riddled body was found in front of the apartment building where Rebelsink is registered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90m6MiWuEzc