Police arrest suspected gunman wanted for random Rotterdam shootings
Police in Rotterdam arrested a 24-year-old man suspected of killing three different men in separate, random shootings since December 21. The third victim, an 81-year-old, died from his injuries after he was gunned down on Thursday. "His motive is still unclear," police said.
The 24-year-old man was taken into custody by a tactical team at a home on Emelissedijk in the city’s IJsselmonde District, the same area where the three shootings happened. He was captured on the balcony at the home. Police said they found a firearm during the arrest on Thursday night.
The suspect does not have a fixed place of residence, police said. The arrest took place at about 11 p.m., a few hours after police circulated a surveillance camera photo of the suspect and a description. He was described as having lighter colored skin, and was last seen wearing a black North Face jacket over a gray hoodie, dark pants, and dark shoes.
He was the second person arrested in the case. Police arrested a 20-year-old man from Amsterdam in connection with the first two shootings on Monday, but authorities have yet to say what role he played in the slayings. He was remanded to jail by an examining magistrate on Thursday, and could face an arraignment hearing in a district court by January 16.
The most recent incident happened Thursday morning, when an 81-year-old man was found shot on the Bommelerwaard. The man was rushed to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries during the evening. Investigators briefly detained another individual shortly after the shooting, but he was released from custody without charge.
"This followed two previous fatal shooting incidents in the same neighbourhood. On Saturday, December 21, a 63-year-old man died after being shot on the Reyerdijk," police said. That incident happened at about 9:30 p.m., and the victim died from his injuries two days later.
A 58-year-old man was found "bleeding profusely" from a gunshot wound a week later, at 10 p.m. on December 28. The victim, from Rotterdam, died from his injuries at a hospital soon after. Police released video footage after that shooting, which showed the victim walking across a bridge followed closely behind by an individual believed to be the 24-year-old man who was arrested on Thursday night.
A press conference was planned for late Friday morning to give an update about the investigation. "The police would like to thank all the people who gave their thoughts and passed on their tips," police stated.
