Suspected Turkish crime figure shot dead at hotel terrace in Rijswijk
A 41-year-old Turkish man was shot and killed Thursday at around 5:45 p.m. while sitting on the terrace of a hotel in Rijswijk. The victim, identified by multiple sources as Cemil Önal, was shot at close range and died immediately at the scene. Hotel owner reports that the shooting was captured on security cameras, according to Omroep West.
According to multiple sources, including Turkish media, the victim was Cemil Önal, a well-known Turkish crime suspect. Önal was allegedly involved in the murder of a gambling boss in Northern Cyprus and was linked to multiple criminal activities, including money laundering, according to De Telegraaf. Police have not confirmed the victim's identity.
The owner of the hotel on Van Vredenburchweg told Omroep West, "You can see a man walking up without any facial covering, shooting, and then running away."
Önal was suspected of being the mastermind behind the 2022 murder of Halil Falyali, a Turkish Cypriot businessman and gambling magnate. Falyali, who had ties to the U.S. due to his alleged involvement in money laundering and drug trafficking, was shot dead in Northern Cyprus.
The shooter reportedly made little effort to disguise his identity. Described as a man approximately 1.80 meters tall, with an average to sturdy build, a beard, and wearing black clothing, he approached Önal and shot him from close range before fleeing the scene. Eyewitnesses stated the shooter appeared calm and deliberate in his actions.
Police immediately launched a large-scale manhunt, utilizing a helicopter and issuing a public appeal for witnesses. Authorities have set up a special investigative team to track down the suspect. The police have been combing through the area, including the nearby park, and have cordoned off the crime scene with tape.
The police have confirmed that the victim was a 41-year-old Turkish man but have not yet confirmed his identity. A significant number of investigators are working on the case, including members of a special team dedicated to major crime investigations.
At the crime scene, the hotel has been shut down for the investigation, and guests were evacuated. One guest, Daan from Delft, who was about to check in with his girlfriend, expressed shock to Omroep West, saying, "We were supposed to stay here for four nights. I’m really shocked by this."
The police are urging anyone who witnessed anything unusual around the Van Vredenburchweg area at the time of the shooting to come forward. Authorities have also requested anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts to contact them directly.
