Teacher stabbed during Alblasserdam school musical remains in critical condition

The 53-year-old teacher stabbed during a school musical at the cultural center Landvast remains in critical condition, police confirmed Thursday. The attack occurred Wednesday evening during a musical performance by eighth-grade students from Het Palet elementary school.

Authorities have arrested three men suspected of involvement in the stabbing. The incident took place around 8:40 p.m. amid a fight between three men in the audience. Police believe the teacher, from Dordrecht, intervened to calm the situation and was stabbed in the chest.

Parents who witnessed the incident called the teacher “kind” and “committed.” One parent told Rijnmond, “We find it very sad. He was only trying to do what was right.” Another noted that the three men had been arguing for some time, although the disagreement’s cause remains unknown.

Many children and parents were present during the attack. Witnesses reported that people fled in tears and comforted one another outside the cultural center. Victim Support was mobilized promptly, as reported by NOS.

Thursday morning, Alblasserdam Mayor Jan Willem Boersma visited the school and spoke with students, parents, and staff. A municipal spokesperson confirmed the visit.

Police said the 44-year-old suspect from Hendrik‑Ido‑Ambacht was arrested near Landvast shortly after the stabbing. Two other suspects—a 35-year-old from Alblasserdam and a 39-year-old from Drieborg in Groningen—later went to Maasstad Hospital in Rotterdam. The 35-year-old arrived wounded and was detained there; the 39-year-old fled but was located and arrested nearby. Two vehicles linked to the suspects were also seized at Landvast and the hospital.