Aruba court convicts cops of fatally shooting 19-year-old

A court sentenced two police officers to three years in prison, including one year conditionally suspended, with a one-year probation on Thursday afternoon in Aruba, for the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Ayden Lanoy in January 2025.

Around 5:30 a.m. on a Sunday, Lanoy ignored a police stop signal and drove off, triggering a chase. When his car came to a halt, the officers fired 20 shots. The court ruled that both officers were guilty of killing him by repeatedly shooting.

The officers claimed they thought they were in a dangerous situation that justified shooting. The court rejected this, ruling that the 19-year-old posed no threat. It concluded that the officers misjudged the situation and employed excessive force.

The prosecution had recommended a sentence of 12 months and 180 hours of community service. The victims’ lawyer called the recommendation “highly disappointing” in early March, describing the officers’ conduct as “out-of-control cowboy behavior” and “police brutality at its worst.” The court dismissed the demand, stating that such a sentence would be insufficient given the gravity of the offense.

The student’s death sparked widespread outrage in the Aruban community. Demonstrations took place across the island, and members of the community in Rotterdam also organized protests against police brutality.

Local outlets say the victim’s parents were visibly emotional in court upon hearing the verdict. They consider the punishment far too light.

Alongside their prison sentences, the convicted officers must pay the family nearly 40,000 Aruban florin (around 20,000 euros) in compensation for material and emotional damages. They are also responsible for court costs totaling 6,000 florin (approximately 3,000 euros).

In January, Aruban police fatally shot a 36-year-old man. Authorities said he was a psychiatric clinic patient who acted aggressively and was armed with a machete.