(HorizonPost.com) – A gunman in a bulletproof vest went on a shooting rampage in the Dutch city of Rotterdam on Thursday, killing three people, the Associated Press reported.
The shooter, a 32-year-old student, started his spree at an apartment near where he lived where he fatally shot a 39-year-old woman and shot and wounded her 14-year-old daughter. The daughter later died of her injuries, Reuters reported.
The suspect then set fire to the woman’s home and continued on to the teaching hospital Erasmus Medical Center in downtown Rotterdam where he walked into a classroom and fatally shot a 46-year-old teacher before starting another fire.
The shooting sent hospital staff and patients fleeing. Some patients had to be wheeled out of the building in hospital beds while others locked themselves in rooms and placed hand-written signs on the windows.
Erasmus Medical Center sent out an appeal on social media urging people to stay away from the hospital.
In a press conference Thursday, Rotterdam Police Chief Fred Westerbeke said the shooter, whose identity is being withheld, was arrested near the hospital. Police are investigating the incident to determine the motive.
According to Chief Westerbeke, the suspect was cooperating with investigators.
Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb described the shooting as a “black day” for the city.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands expressed sympathy for the families and friends of the victims.
Rotterdam’s chief prosecutor Huga Hillenaar said the suspect was known to police. In 2021, he was convicted for animal abuse.
Rotterdam has experienced a spate of small explosions at businesses and homes this year, which the city has blamed on rival drug gangs. However, there is no evidence at this time to suggest that the suspect in Thursday’s shooting spree and fires is linked to drug gangs.
Copyright 2023, HorizonPost.com
