Police reviewing warnings before fatal stabbing of 11-year-old girl in Nieuwegein

Police are investigating whether warnings were issued about the mental state of the 29-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing an 11-year-old girl in Nieuwegein on Saturday. Authorities said Sunday they are checking reports that the suspect displayed erratic behavior in the days before the attack.

“We have heard indications that the man may have exhibited disturbed behavior earlier in the week and that there were reports about it,” a police spokesperson said Sunday. “We are checking whether that is correct.”

The 29-year-old suspect was arrested shortly after the attack, which took place in front of other children. It remains unclear whether he and the victim knew each other. “The scenario that they did not know each other is realistic,” police said.

Police also corrected earlier information about the suspect’s background. He has both Dutch and Moroccan nationality, not Syrian, as was initially reported by the police. He is a resident of Nieuwegein, as was the victim, who was born in Eritrea. Police have not confirmed whether she was also Dutch national.