Suspect in Rotterdam & Erasmus Medical Center fatal shootings was "very calculating"

The suspect in the September 2023 shootings in Rotterdam that left three people died appears to have been "very calculating" in retrospect. He prepared his criminal offenses "over a long period of time," according to a report about suspect Fouad L. The explosion of violence could not have been prevented by healthcare and safety professionals, the report stated.

L. is suspected of shooting dead 39-year-old Marlous and her 14-year-old daughter Romy at Heiman Dullaertplein in Rotterdam-Delfshaven, and 43-year-old lecturer and physician Jurgen Damen in a lecture hall at the Erasmus Medical Center. The report about L. was compiled by researcher Rieke Samson-Geerlings, and Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb shared it with the City Council.

The man was addressed by housing corporation Woonbron, police, justice and healthcare institutions because of reports of alcohol abuse, animal abuse, fights, and attempts to intimidated people in the neighborhood.

Various authorities said they were concerned about Fouad L., but saw no grounds for detaining him or forcibly committing him. It was feared that L. would graduate his medical studies and also start working as a doctor. But no measures were legally possible. "A forced admission to a care [facility] or detention was not possible at any time based on the known facts," Samson wrote.

In retrospect, L. did not "really open up" to any authority. "He was not allowed to search his soul," the report says. "According to all those involved, Fouad L. is a very intelligent man who is cooperative in research and proposed measures."

Samson also wrote that L. had "a high intelligence" and a great deal of knowledge about the powers of the authorities. In this way he managed to avoid concrete care, although he was able to give the impression of his cooperation. "This ensures that stricter action could not be taken at several times."

The case against L. is still ongoing. He is due back in court on July 4.