Mental health institution Parnassia in The Hague today commemorates a 53-year-old employee who was shot dead at the institution last Monday. The man was a security guard at the facility and was seriously injured after a client opened fire. He died in the hospital.
The shooter, a 67-year-old man from Rijswijk, had an appointment on July 12 at the institution in The Hague. He walked in and immediately shot around. He then went outside and committed suicide in his car. Two employees were injured, of whom the 53-year-old security guard did not survive the attack.
The board chairman of Parnassia has the man earlier a hero because he was trying to protect another healthcare worker when she was attacked. The 36-year-old woman from Rijswijk was injured, but is out of danger after an operation.
Honorary hague
Before the start of the memorial service in a church in The Hague, a guard of honor is formed to pay the man a last tribute, writes Broadcasting West. The service will then take place in the open air to comply with the applicable corona rules and so that as many people as possible can participate.
It is not yet clear what possessed the shooter. It is also unknown how he got the firearm. According to the police, his weapon and ammunition were taken in January because of an expired firearms license. The investigation is still ongoing.
A week after the shooting, nearly 60 mental health organizations in a full page advertisement some national newspapers focus on violence against aid workers. The ad stated that the organizations “can never and will never accept violence against aid workers”.
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