In a shocking and tragic incident on Thursday afternoon, a university hospital in the Dutch city of Rotterdam was the site of a shooting that claimed the lives of three people, including a 14-year-old girl. The suspect, a 32-year-old student at the center, has been arrested by local police.
The assailant, who has not yet been identified, began his rampage by opening fire in a residential neighborhood, where he killed a 39-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter. The gunman then headed to Rotterdam Medical Center, where he shot and killed a professor. In a statement, police commander confirmed that the suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest during the attack.
Students and faculty members were going about their day when shots rang out, throwing the usually quiet and serene campus into chaos. Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and confusion as students and hospital staff fled in all directions, with some taking shelter in nearby buildings.
The suspect was eventually apprehended at the hospital’s helipad and is currently being questioned by authorities. Police have not yet released the names of the victims or the suspected gunman, but have stated that there is no known connection between them.
Today, the usually peaceful city of Rotterdam is in mourning, united in grief and seeking answers in the wake of this senseless act of violence. Authorities have yet to release any information about the suspect’s motives, leaving the community to grapple with the senselessness of the shooting.
With information from El Mundo