Capelle rocked by police's fatal shooting of 15-year-old suspect, mayor says
The entire Capelle aan den IJssel is shocked by the police fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy suspected of an armed robbery, Mayor Joost Manusama said on Monday, NOS reports. Police officers shot the boy dead at a McDonald’s on Sunday afternoon after he allegedly stole a fatbike, threatening the victim with a firearm.
“Of course, there were many guests present at the time, including many young children,” the Mayor said. “It was Sunday, so there were many families. Everyone is deeply shocked: the witnesses and relatives, but also the police officers involved.” Victim support is available, the mayor said. “I urge anyone who needs it to contact us.”
The young suspect was from Gouda. Mayor Manusama is in contact with his counterpart in that municipality. “He’s also very shocked, and the impact there is significant.”
The police are investigating the armed robbery, and the Rijksrecherche, the department that handles internal investigations at the police, is investigating the fatal shooting. That is standard practice every time a police officer fires their service weapon.
Mayor Manusama could not comment on the police investigations. He did acknowledge that his town is seeing more young people ending up in crime. “That’s very worrying,” Manusama said. “But we’re working on it. We’re actively working with schools, youth welfare organizations, the police, and enforcement officers. We try to maintain close contact with young people, but also impose restrictions and punish when necessary.”
Before being shot by the police at the McDonald's, the boy allegedly stole a fatbike in an armed robbery. The police tracked the suspect to the fast food restaurant and tried to apprehend him.
A police spokesperson stressed to NOS that officers warned the suspect multiple times before shooting. "We told him: 'You're under arrest, we are the police. Stay where you are, drop the weapon.' Ultimately, he didn't listen, he started running, and we shot," the spokesperson said.
