Dutch prosecutors have confirmed they were concerned enough about the ‘psychotic behaviour’ of a medical student now suspected of shooting three people dead in Rotterdam that they had sent a warning letter to the university hospital.
Key points:
- The letter to the university hospital also warned of the suspect’s alcohol troubles
- The 32-year-old medical student is due to face court for allegedly shooting dead three people
- Rotterdam’s chief prosecutor said he was previously convicted for animal abuse
The 32-year-old man is due to appear before a judge on October 3, a spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office said.
He is being held on suspicion of shooting dead a 39-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter near his apartment.
Police believe he then went to the Erasmus Medical Centre where he was a student and shot dead a 43-year-old doctor.
The prosecutor’s spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of a letter addressed from prosecutors to the Erasmus Medical Centre circulating on Dutch media.
It described “psychotic behaviour” and alcohol troubles as well as complaints from neighbours over his treatment of animals. The letter’s date was not visible.
“I presume that the information above will contribute to the decision as to whether the person concerned should be eligible for a general doctor’s diploma,” the letter said.
Regional broadcaster Rijnmond said the school then decided not to award the diploma to the man.
Police have said they are investigating a motive for the shooting.
A general view shows the house of the victims of the shooting. (Reuters: Piroschka van de Wouw)
A forensic technician walks near the entrance to the medical centre, after Dutch police arrested the suspected shooter. (Reuters: Piroschka van de Wouw)
People in the Erasmus Medical Centre were told to leave the building as police entered to find the suspect. (Reuters: Piroschka van de Wouw)
Emergency services were at work in the area near the Erasmus MC. (Reuters: Piroschka van de Wouw)
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on X that there has been great dismay after the dramatic events in Rotterdam. (Reuters: Piroschka van de Wouw)
Images of students fleeing and patients being evacuated from the hospital have been playing on Dutch television news since the incident took place on Thursday afternoon.
Fatal shootings are rare in the Netherlands and the shootings drew condolences from Rotterdam’s mayor and the country’s king and queen, among others.
The suspect allegedly started fires at the university and the woman’s home before he was arrested shortly after fleeing a building.
Rotterdam’s chief prosecutor Hugo Hillenaar said on Thursday the suspect had a history of police run-ins and “in 2021 he was prosecuted and convicted for animal abuse”.
Reuters