Man convicted in killing of Dutch soldier in Indianapolis

A jury in Indianapolis has found an American man guilty of murdering Dutch soldier Simmie Poetsema, 26, and injuring two of his colleagues in a shooting that occurred in the summer of 2022. The verdict, reported by local media, was delivered this week. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced in February.

The jury convicted the man on charges of murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery for the August 27, 2022, shooting. Witnesses testified that the shooting followed an altercation between the Dutch soldiers and the defendant, who was accompanied by two friends.

According to testimony, the Dutch soldiers, part of the Korps Commandotroepen, were on a night out when they encountered the group. The Americans allegedly harassed the soldiers, and the confrontation escalated into a physical altercation.

After the groups separated, the Dutch soldiers returned to their hotel, while the defendant and his friends drove away. Witnesses reported that the vehicle later turned around and headed back toward the hotel, where shots were fired.

The Dutch soldiers were in Indiana for training at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, a U.S. Department of Defense facility that specializes in urban combat exercises.