Two killed, one injured in Oosterhout shooting; Mayor calls for calm

Two men were killed and another was seriously wounded in a shooting Friday afternoon in Oosterhout, Noord-Brabant. Mayor Gerdo van Grootheest expressed shock over the deadly incident and urged residents to remain calm while authorities investigate.

The violence unfolded just before 4 p.m. when shots were fired on Loevesteinlaan. Officers responding to the scene discovered two men in a car with severe gunshot wounds. One later died from his injuries. Further down Sint Antoniusstraat, police found another critically injured man in a vehicle. Despite resuscitation efforts, he did not survive. Authorities have clarified that the victim in Sint Antoniusstraat had moved there after being wounded earlier.

The identities of the victims have not been officially released. De Telegraaf, citing multiple sources, reported that one of the deceased was known as "Bandi" and had ties to the drug trade. The seriously wounded victim, who later died, was allegedly his nephew.

"With disbelief and horror, I have learned of the terrible incidents that took place this afternoon in Oosterhout," Van Grootheest said in a statement. He acknowledged the unrest in the neighborhood and assured residents that authorities are actively investigating. "As mayor, I remain in close contact with the public prosecutor and the police. I urge everyone to remain calm and give the police space to conduct their investigation."

Initial reports suggested gunfire at two locations, but police have now confirmed that the shooting occurred only on Loevesteinlaan. The second location, Sint Antoniusstraat, was where a wounded victim later succumbed to his injuries.

A vehicle possibly linked to the shooting was discovered a few kilometers away in Teteringen. The car has been seized as part of the investigation.

The Turkish Ahmet Yesevi Mosque and the Moroccan Almohsinin Mosque in Oosterhout confirmed that the victims were members of their communities, according to Omroep Brabant. Almohsinin secretary Yousef Elhadjoui called the incident "incredibly tragic" and said the mosque opened its doors Friday evening for people to support each other.

Meanwhile, police have condemned the spread of graphic images of the shooting that have been circulating online. "We want to emphasize that sharing these images is not only disrespectful but also extremely painful for the victims' families," a police spokesperson said. Authorities have urged the public to respect the privacy of those involved.