Netherlands: Dutch police arrest shooting suspect in Utrecht March 18 /update 3

Event

On the evening (local time) of Monday, March 18, Dutch officials confirmed that police arrested the suspect of a shooting that killed three people on board a tram in Utrecht earlier in the day. According to a spokesman for the prosecutor's office, no motive for the attack has been determined. Police, who have not ruled out a terror motive, also said it was possible the suspect could have been targeting someone he knew personally.

The National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism has announced it will maintain the threat level at its highest level in Utrecht province until 22:00. The rest of the Netherlands remains at a threat level of four (the second-highest threat level). A heavy security presence and associated traffic disruptions are to be expected in Utrecht over the coming hours and days.

Context

An armed assailant opened fire on a tram at near 24 Oktoberplein in Utrecht at approximately 10:45 (local time) on March 18, killing three people and wounding five others. Immediately following the incident, authorities indicated increased security measures had been implemented at airports across the country, notably at Amsterdam Schiphol, as well as around sensitive buildings, including at government offices. Officials also deployed additional police personnel on highways and have increased surveillance at border crossings along the German and Belgian borders.

Advice

Individuals in the Netherlands are advised to monitor the situation, report suspicious activity and/or behavior to police, prepare for longer wait times at border crossings, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.