Same gunman likely shot three at random in Rotterdam, killing two; Suspect at large
Police in Rotterdam said they believe the same person is responsible for shooting three men at random in the city's IJsselmonde District in the past 12 days, and asked for the public's help in tracking down the suspect. Two of the victims, aged 58 and 63, died from their injuries late last month. An 81-year-old man shot on Thursday morning was still fighting for his life hours later.
"The police assume that the three crimes were committed by the same man," the police wrote in an update. The suspected gunman remained at large on Thursday evening, when authorities circulated his photograph and description. Anyone who sees the man should not approach him, and should instead call the police immediately, the police warned. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) put up a 30,000 euro reward for the tip that leads to the gunman's arrest.
The suspect was described as a man with a lighter skin complexion, who was last seen wearing a black North Face jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt. He was wearing dark pants and dark shoes when he was recorded on camera at roughly the same time the 81-year-old was shot on Bommelerwaard at 10:10 a.m.
"It is of the utmost importance that the man is identified and arrested quickly to prevent further incidents. The police are asking anyone who knows anything about the man's identity or his possible whereabouts to contact the police via the free investigation tip line 0800-6070," the police wrote. "This also applies to witnesses. If you prefer to remain anonymous, call Meld Misdaad Anoniem at 0800–7000."
The apparent killing spree started on December 21, when a 63-year-old man was gunned down on Reyerdijk. A week later, a 58-year-old man was shot and killed on Roelantpad. The 81-year-old man was found seriously injured with a likely gunshot wound less than five days later. "In each case, police do not know of any ties the male victims have to the criminal world," the OM stated.
A 20-year-old Amsterdam man was arrested on Monday on suspicion of involvement in one or both of the earlier shootings. He was brought before an examining magistrate on Thursday, who remanded the man to jail for at least two more weeks while the investigation continues. The allegations against him have not been released, but he is not believed to be connected to either victim.
"Police believe the three shooting incidents are related, but the motive is still unclear," the police said. It was the most definitive statement that the authorities have made about their suspicions since the shootings began. Earlier in the afternoon, a police spokesperson refused to confirm that police believed the same person was responsible for the three shootings. When asked by NL Times, she would only say that all possibilities remained open in the case.
"Last Saturday, December 28, a 58-year-old injured Rotterdammer was found on the bicycle path on the Roelantpad in Rotterdam-Beverwaard," the OM wrote. The man had been shot at least once at about 10 p.m., and was in bad shape when first responders treated him at the scene. He died a short time later at an area hospital.
"The police previously released images showing that this victim was walking on the Cornelis van Beverenbrug just before he was shot. Behind him, a man walks closer and closer to him. The police suspect him of possible involvement in the shooting incident," the OM said. Tips from the public have not yet led to the man, and police still hoped to find two people seen cycling on the bridge at the time of the shooting.
A 63-year-old man was shot in the first fatal shooting known to be linked to the case. It happened at 9:40 p.m. exactly a week earlier on December 21, on Reyerdijk. He was found bleeding profusely by someone passing by, who called emergency services right away. The man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead two days later.
Investigators have made several appeals for witnesses and camera footage from the first two incidents, as well as Thursday's daytime shooting. At least 20 detectives were assigned to the case.
