Rotterdam marks year since IJsselmonde triple murders; Suspect to face trial in April

On Friday, Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten commemorated the victims of three street killings in the IJsselmonde district exactly one year after the attacks.

"One year ago, IJsselmonde was shaken by violence that left deep scars," Schouten wrote on social media. "Three residents of Rotterdam lost their lives. My thoughts are with the bereaved and with everyone who misses someone. At the time, I expressed that I walked with a knot in my stomach and felt my heart aching. That feeling has not disappeared."

Schouten also emphasized the unity and support she witnessed in the neighborhood during and after the events. "People seeking each other out and holding on. City volunteers bringing warmth where it was 'cold.' Safety is not a moment but a process. I continue to work every day for that. With respect for the grief that remains. I also pay attention to the strength I observed in IJsselmonde, where people support one another.

The killings occurred in late 2024, shocking the neighborhood. In December, two seemingly random shootings took the lives of a 63-year-old man and a 58-year-old man on the street. On January 2, an 81-year-old man was also fatally shot outdoors.

Authorities arrested 25-year-old Sendric S. following the third murder. He has admitted to all three killings. The trial against him is scheduled to begin on April 1.