John S. sentenced to 30 years and psychiatric detention for deadly shootings

On Tuesday, the court sentenced 40-year-old John S. to 30 years in prison and compulsory psychiatric treatment for the deadly shooting at a care farm in Alblasserdam and the murder of a shoemaker in Vlissingen. The court's decision matches the sentence previously requested by the Public Prosecution Service (OM).

The violent events began on May 4, 2022, when S. shot and killed a 60-year-old shoemaker in Vlissingen. According to the prosecution, S. carried out the act as a test of his weapon. Just two days later, on May 6, S. opened fire at care farm Tro Tardi in Alblasserdam. A 34-year-old employee and a 16-year-old client were fatally shot. A 12-year-old boy and a 20-year-old woman were seriously injured in the attack.

The court described the crimes as "horrific." “You have caused immense pain to survivors, friends, and families and shocked society,” the presiding judge said during the verdict. Applause broke out in the courtroom after the ruling was delivered.

John S. had previously been sentenced to life in prison by a lower court in July 2023. At the time, the prosecution had sought the same 30-year prison sentence combined with compulsory psychiatric treatment, or tbs. On appeal, the court determined S. has diminished criminal responsibility due to his mental state and therefore imposed the combination of imprisonment and tbs. The psychiatric treatment will only begin after S. has served his prison term.

The prosecution outlined how S. killed the shoemaker on May 4 and then sent photos of the victim to a woman he had met at the care farm in 2017. She reported feeling severely threatened by the images. Days later, S. carried out the shooting spree at the care facility where he had previously spent time.

During the trial, experts from the Pieter Baan Center described S. as having a severe personality disorder that causes him to develop murderous fantasies when faced with setbacks. They concluded that full recovery is unlikely due to the severity of his condition and warned of the risk of further violent outbursts.

The court aligned with expert recommendations that S. requires treatment in a secure psychiatric facility following his prison sentence.

S.’s attorney called the combination of 30 years in prison and tbs “incomprehensible” and argued that treatment should begin sooner. The defense stressed that delaying therapy until after such a lengthy prison term undermines its effectiveness.

In his final statement during the trial last month, S. questioned the purpose of treatment after decades of incarceration. “What use will treatment be to me after thirty years?” he asked.