Two teens arrested in fatal snowball brawl that left 60-year-old man dead in Schiedam
Police in Schiedam on Thursday arrested two boys, ages 16 and 17, in connection with the death of a 60-year-old man near metro station Schiedam Nieuwland, days after two earlier suspects were wrongly detained and released, police reported. Police say a dispute may have broken out after snowballs were thrown, allegedly leading to a physical confrontation that turned fatal.
The incident occurred Monday around midday near the metro station, on and around a bicycle bridge by the Van Limburg Stirumstraat and Damlaan. “Who exactly did or said what is part of the investigation,” police said.
The victim, a 60-year-old man from Schiedam, collapsed following the incident. Police first received a report of an assault near the metro station around noon, followed shortly afterward by a report of a resuscitation attempt. Emergency services, assisted by a bystander, attempted to revive the man, but the effort was unsuccessful. He later died in an ambulance.
Police immediately launched a Burgernet alert, searching for two suspects who had reportedly fled the scene on foot toward the Johan de Wittsingel. Two men, ages 18 and 19, were arrested later that day but were released earlier this week after investigators established they were not in the area at the time of the man’s death.
The investigation continued with neighborhood inquiries, witness interviews, a review of surveillance footage, and online checks for possible videos related to the incident. Police said the two teenage suspects were ultimately identified on camera.
The 16-year-old suspect reported to a police station earlier Thursday to file a report, police said. The second suspect, 17, was arrested shortly afterward at his home in Schiedam. Both boys are being questioned.
Authorities are still asking for information. Anyone who has not yet spoken to police but has tips, camera footage, or dashcam images related to the incident is urged to come forward.
The killing has shaken the neighborhood. On Tuesday, residents placed flowers and candles near the metro station where the man collapsed. A handwritten note left among the flowers read, “Senseless… Rest in peace.”
