Permanent memorial garden to honor Utrecht mass shooting victims

Utrecht is creating a permanent memorial garden on 24 Oktoberplein to commemorate the victims who died there in a mass shooting on March 18th, the city announced on Tuesday.

According to the municipality, residents of the city started expressing their wish for a permanent place of remembrance shortly after the shooting. "To show sympathy and commemorate the victims in an appropriate way." The municipality hopes that this garden will fill that need.

"A place where there is room for sadness and connectedness", the city described the memorial garden. "The design of the memorial site depicts the wave of disbelief and sorrow that went through the city of Utrecht after the shooting incident."

Work on the garden will start early next year. The city expects that it will be done in time for the one year anniversary of the shooting.

On March 18th a man opened fire on a tram on 24 Oktoberplein. A total of four people were killed, three died on the day of the shooting, the fourth succumbed to his injuries a week later. Suspected gunman Gokmen T. was arrested hours after the incident. He confessed to the shooting and told the authorities that he was working alone. The 37-year-old man is facing charges of murder or manslaughter with terrorist intent, attempts thereto, and threats with terrorist intent.

On Tuesday an evaluation on the emergency services' response to the mass shooting was released. An internal police committee concluded that the authorities responded quickly and effectively and acted according to prepared plans and protocols, but that there is room for improvement - especially when it comes to information exchange during crisis communication.