20-year sentence recommended for fatal shooting tied to alleged drug dispute

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has recommended a 20-year prison sentence for 20-year-old Thommy S. in connection with the killing of 21-year-old Ozan Alakus from Amsterdam. Prosecutors say S. fired 14 shots at the victim on 14 October 2024 while Alakus was in a car with his girlfriend at a parking area near the Crailoo sports complex in Hilversum.

The woman was able to flee the vehicle and reach safety. However, the OM also considers this an attempted manslaughter in her case, as she was sitting next to the victim when he was shot, and S. accepted the risk that she could be struck as well. Alakus died at the scene.

A police arrest team detained S. the day after the shooting, but he has not made any statement. The OM believes the killing was an act of revenge following a robbery on 5 October 2024, in which S., reportedly a drug dealer, was the victim.

Prosecutors say Alakus was involved in taking part in the theft of hashish and snus worth around 600 euros. “Humiliation, revenge, and anger seem to have played the main role,” the prosecutor said.

The shooting was preceded by a series of threats, including a “final warning” sent on October 13. One message read, “You reap what you sow.” According to his family, Alakus was extremely fearful and had reportedly been planning to leave the Netherlands.

The OM says S. entered the parking area, stepped out of his car, approached the victim with his arm extended, reloaded his weapon, and opened fire without speaking. The prosecutor described it as “ruthless” and called it a “cold-blooded execution.” Witnesses included a 13-year-old girl. Alakus’s girlfriend recognised S. and quickly helped police identify him. After the shooting, S. allegedly attempted to flee to Spain. The weapon used in the killing has never been recovered.

The prosecutor condemned S.’s refusal to speak, saying it leaves Alakus’s relatives with numerous unanswered questions. The suspect refused to cooperate with evaluations by behavioral experts.

S. is known to have had behavioral issues from a young age. Alongside the prison sentence, the prosecutor recommended a supervisory measure to ensure he can be monitored after release.