Groningen woman, 24, shot dead by police responding to "threatening situation"

A police officer shot and killed a woman in Groningen early Monday morning during a response to an unspecified incident in the northern Dutch city. The victim, a 24-year-old from the area, died shortly after she was shot, police confirmed.

Records show emergency services workers were dispatched a few minutes before 12:30 a.m. on Monday. “The police initially received a report of a threatening situation in a home on Helperzoom. A situation arose at the scene where one officer felt compelled to shoot,” police claimed.

“The woman was seriously injured and died shortly afterwards,” a police statement noted. “The officers involved were not injured.”

The case was handed over to the Rijksrecherche, an independent investigative service managed by the Public Prosecution Service. The organization handles investigations involving government services, including the use of force by police officers.

“An extensive investigation was carried out at the crime scene,” police said. Once the Rijksrecherche completes their investigation, it will be up to prosecutors to determine if the charges should be filed against the officers involved in the response, including the individual who fired gunshots.

Police officers who were at the scene were also provided counselling services.