Rotterdam was shocked by a stabbing at the Erasmus Bridge on Thursday evening. Witnesses told the police that the suspect shouted ‘Allahoe akbar’. At the same time, Rotterdammers said goodbye to their mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, says AD reporter Peter Groenendijk in Goedemorgen Nederland on NPO 1.
The suspect made a first victim in the parking garage. He then walked upstairs and fatally shot a second victim, the police reported. A personal trainer who saw the suspect managed to overpower him with a stick from his gym. “That trainer performed a heroic act and prevented worse,” says Groenendijk.
The journalist was at Aboutaleb’s farewell in De Doelen at the time of the stabbing. “Aboutaleb even said: anything can always happen in this city, so you have to be reachable at all times as mayor. In fact, those present only found out what had happened in the city after the event. I jumped on my bike home and went to the place where it happened,” says Groenendijk. “There was still a tent and forensic investigation was being done.”
Aboutaleb’s response
Aboutaleb calls the fatal stabbing “a horrible situation” and “a nasty act”. In a short statement, Aboutaleb thanks the bystanders who intervened together with the police.
Do you already receive our free WNL newsletter? Sign up here and stay informed!
“This has led to the arrest of the suspect. It must have been a nasty event for bystanders who were enjoying their evening. It is now up to the police to continue their investigation,” says the mayor of Rotterdam. Thursday evening was also Aboutaleb’s farewell in the Doelen, where he received a high royal distinction.
22 year old suspect
A 32-year-old man from Rotterdam was killed in the stabbing, a 33-year-old Swiss was seriously injured. The suspect is a 22-year-old man from Amersfoort. He is known to the police. The Amersfoorter was also injured during the overpowering by officers and bystanders.
Also read:
Aboutaleb starts his last week: ‘He is a man who has difficulty with criticism’
By: Matthijs Meulblok
