"A lot of people had to die" because Rotterdam triple murder suspect couldn't graduate

Out of anger and frustration that he would not receive his medical diploma, Fouad L., dubbed the “Erasmus shooter” in Dutch media, developed “a very terrible plan” in March or April 2023, he said on Monday at the start of his criminal trial. “A lot of people had to die,” said L. in response to questions from the court in Rotterdam.

The 33-year-old L. is on trial for the murders of his neighbor Marlous (39), her 14-year-old daughter Romy, and the 43-year-old lecturer and general practitioner Jurgen Damen. The shocking violence took place on 28 September 2023. L. shot Marlous and Romy dead in their home on Heiman Dullaertplein in the Rotterdam district of Delfshaven. He set his house on fire. A short time later, he shot Damen dead in a lecture hall at the Erasmus MC. Here, too, he started a fire and threatened numerous people. He was eventually overpowered by the police outside.

According to L., he was driven by “extreme anger - uncontrollable, it had existed for years, and could not find an outlet.” L. had problems with lecturers during his studies and was suspended several times. He found that “incomprehensible and illogical,” he said. “Then something actually snapped inside me.”

He said he developed a plan and bought three weapons and targeting lasers, starting in March 2023. “I had an internal conflict with myself. At first, I had a wait-and-see attitude towards the plan, but by buying the lasers, for example, it suddenly became real.”

L. said he negotiated with himself to water down the plan so that there would be fewer victims. “I realized that the original plan was terrible,” he said. “In that negotiation with myself, the plan was minimized and that is what it ultimately became. I agreed with myself on that.”

The chairman of the court noted that L. makes it seem - by the way he talks about the events - as if the crimes were not his responsibility. He said he feels “distance” from what he’s done. “It’s a feeling. I am indeed guilty and logically responsible, but I don’t feel it.” Carrying out his final plan was “a script” or “a mission” he had to follow.

The trial is happening in the extra-secure court of the Rotterdam court. The courtroom was filled to the last seat by surviving relatives, other parties involved, the press, and the public. The court has set aside the entire week for the case.