Five critically hurt in Amsterdam stabbing; bystander pinned down suspect
The suspect of a stabbing incident on the Sint Nicolaasstraat in Amsterdam on Thursday was arrested after he had been detained by a good samaritan. The suspect is currently being taken to the hospital with an injury to the leg as a result of the arrest, police have reported on X. Five people were critically injured as a result of the stabbing, including two who were severely hurt, police said. There have been no updates on their condition.
"Not four but five people were injured. In addition, the suspect also sustained injuries," police said on X. Authorities have not yet shared anything about the suspect's motive, but justice minister David van Weel said terrorism has not been excluded.
The incident unfolded just after 3:15 p.m. when witnesses say two people were stabbed on Sint Nicolaasstraat. The two victims appeared to be an older man and a younger man in his early 20s, according to Parool.
Moments later, The attacker moved towards the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, where he stabbed a young woman in her mid 20s in the back in front of the store Dutch Quilts. The store is located at the intersection of the two streets.
The last stabbing occured on the sunny patio in front of the 3 Fleschjes cafe on the Gravenstraat. The fourth woman, who witnesses said was of an older age, was also stabbed in the back, a bar employee told Parool. Security footage from the area shows the suspect running off as bystanders chased after him.
Witnesses described the events to media outlets at the scene saying the stabbings appeared to be random in nature. The assailant was not heard shouting any politically or religiously motivated slogans, according to NOS. In fact, witnesses did not hear him utter anything out loud.
The suspect in the case made his way towards the H&M on the Nieuwendijk shopping street, at which point, a good samaritan tackled the individual. A woman at the scene said the bystander then sat on the suspect at the intersection with Valkensteeg and pinned him on the ground until police arrived and took him into custody.
"He looked normal. Middle aged, but it went very fast. I did not see much more than that," the woman told Parool.
A video of the arrest obtained by AT5 showed the suspect being brought under control by one police officer as another arrived to provide assistance. Police said the man's leg was injured in the struggle with the good samaritan.
He was also taken to an area hospital, police confirmed. He did not appear to resist arrest.
investigators were still working from a command post set up at Dam Square, hours after the violence took place.
