Prosecutor: Man who shot ex-girlfriend, killed her mother should stay in prison for life

The Public Prosecution Service recommended a life sentence against 50-year-old Minh Nghia V., who is nicknamed Lucky. He is suspected of shooting his ex-girlfriend, Anneke, at a shopping center in Zwijndrecht on January 21, 2023. Her 66-year-old mother was killed during the shooting.

The prosecutor called the case a clear example of femicide: the murder of a woman because a relationship had ended.

After a string of threatening messages, V. went to find Anneke at the Dordrecht home of her mother, Michel. He used a stolen car to follow them to the Walburg shopping center in Zwijndrecht. He waited in a parking spot for an hour until they had finished shopping.

His ex-girlfriend was shot twice in the back during the confrontation and is permanently paralyzed as a result. The mother was shot once in the chest and died shortly after.

The Public Prosecution Service believed this was a calculated case of murder. The defense claimed that V. had no premeditated plan, and only wanted to talk, making it a case of manslaughter. When the women became frightened and shouted for the police, something "snapped" in V., the defense argued.

V. had earlier fired gunshots in the home that he shared with Anneke at the time. This happened in December 2022. A bullet fragment was found in the home's flooring. "He tried with all his might to keep the relationship going even when Anneke made it clear that he should leave her alone," said the prosecutor.

He allegedly tried to call his ex hundreds of times in the weeks before the shooting and sent her tons of messages with lines like, "I am going on a trip, and I am taking you all with me." An hour before the shooting incident, he sent his last message saying, "An, till death, do us part."

"V. has shot his ex Anneke in broad daylight in a busy area and in front of many witnesses. And when her mother went to help, he shot her and killed her. He threatened a bystander. These are gruesome facts that have shocked society strongly," said the prosecutor. She considers V. to be extremely dangerous.

V. was a fugitive for almost five weeks and was arrested in Schiedam. The firearm that he used to shoot at the woman was found in his car. The suspect himself asked for a life sentence before the court case started.

The court will announce its verdict on June 18.