Shooter confesses in court as victim remains paralyzed for life
A 30-year-old man unexpectedly admitted in court that he shot a cyclist in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, leaving the victim permanently paralyzed. The confession came in the form of a letter after the suspect initially denied involvement, despite mounting evidence.
The shooting occurred on August 19, 2024, on Sluiskreek. Surveillance footage played in court showed a cyclist turning a corner before a black-clad man approached and fired. The victim collapsed as the shooter fled the scene.
The suspect, Gurswin P., initially told police he was not at the location. However, investigators linked him to the crime through surveillance footage, phone records placing him near Sluiskreek, and his DNA found on a shell casing.
Instead of maintaining his denial, P. presented a letter in court confessing to the shooting. “I want the victim to know what happened because I regret it. This was unnecessary. I hope he can forgive me,” he wrote.
P. also provided a motive, claiming he panicked after encountering the victim. “He drove into me the day before, and then I happened to see him again on the 19th. I got scared, was angry, pulled my gun, and ran away,” he said.
When asked why he was carrying a firearm, P. responded, “I had just met a client for drugs. For my own safety, I always carry a weapon.”
Authorities believe the shooting was not a coincidence. Prosecutors argued that P. had already told police he would take matters into his own hands following the alleged altercation. They are charging him with attempted murder and seeking a 14-year prison sentence.
The 28-year-old victim, also involved in the drug trade, suffered a spinal cord injury and will remain bedridden for life. He now lives in a Limburg nursing home, far from his family.
In a recorded video played in court, the victim addressed P. directly. “It would have been better if you had killed me. That would have been easier for me. I can never walk again, I am constantly on a ventilator, and I will always depend on others.”
Choking back emotion, he continued, “The most painful thing is that I can’t even hold and hug my son.”
The victim’s family was present in court and described the lasting impact. “He was a healthy young man in the prime of his life. Now, he’s like a baby again. He can talk, but he needs help with everything—even if he has an itch, someone else has to scratch it,” a relative said.
When the judge asked P. for a response, he replied simply: “No comment.”
