Suspect arrested in murder case of military police officer in Curaçao

A suspect has been arrested in the case of the murder of Adjutant Toon Brood of the Marechaussee in Curaçao. The 49-year-old military police officer was shot dead during an armed robbery at his home on the night of Friday, May 31. Three men, partly masked and armed, had forced their way into his home and took his money and motorcycle.

Police confirmed the arrest but have not yet provided any further details. According to local media, the man turned himself in at a police station on Friday evening.

According to Curacao.nu, Brood has worked for the military police in Curaçao for 23 years. However, it is not clear whether the home invasion was work-related.

Chief officer Heiko de Jong told the newspaper that the terrible incident showed that the island has “a major problem with illegal firearms, and we are already working hard on that. Perhaps this incident will mean that we can tackle it even more seriously and that the penalties for illegal possession of weapons can also be increased.”

On Friday morning (local time), the local police raided several houses on the island. Among other things, Brood's motorcycle was found that had recently been stolen from his house.

Police said the investigation is going well without providing further details.

Outgoing Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren was "affected" by the message, she wrote on X. "My thoughts go out to his loved ones and colleagues."

Furthermore, outgoing Justice and Security Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz described the news on X as "very intense. "My thoughts are with his loved ones," she wrote.