Suspect in Amsterdam stabbing is from Eastern Europe, sources say
The man who stabbed five people in Amsterdam city center on Thursday afternoon acted alone, according to De Telegraaf. The newspaper reported that the man had false identification, but that he is believed to be from Eastern Europe. The suspect's motive is still unknown.
Sources have said that the man has confessed to the stabbings, which took place at 3:15 p.m. It was initially thought that the man was on drugs during the incident, but people close to the situation are now doubting this, according to De Telegraaf. Sources say that they think man is in his early 40s, but there are doubts about his real identity.
The man reportedly checked into a hotel on the Damrak on Wednesday. This same hotel was the location of a raid by Amsterdam police on Thursday evening.
The five victims seemed to have been picked at random. All five are currently in stable condition, with one of the victims having already left the hospital, police have said.
The man was eventually arrested after he was tackled by a British tourist. The bystander then sat on the man until officers came to take him away. Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema is set to meet with the British man on Friday afternoon. She has publicly thanked him for his efforts.
Police have struggled to identify the suspect as he had several different identifying documents on him when he was arrested. Police have said that are aware of a possible name, but they will not release any information until this has been confirmed.
Halsema visited Dam Square, which is near the area of the stabbings, on Friday. The mayor spoke to nearby residents, police officers, and staff from Victim Support Netherlands.
