At Least 3 People Killed In Tram Shooting In Utrecht, Netherlands

By Lauren Rearick


Police in the city of Utrecht, Netherlands are searching for a person imagined to be accountable for shooting and killing at least three people and injuring nine others on the morning of Monday, March 18, NPR reports. Per CNN, three of the injured people are reportedly in crucial condition.


According to CNN, the incident took place at 10:45 a.M. Because the tram approached the 24 Oktoberplein transit station.


Authorities believe it’s possible that the suspect got away using a vehicle, NPR reports. They added that added accomplices to the attack are still being imagined. Residents are being asked to stay indoors and to come forward if they have any added intelligence, CNN reports.


In a statement supplied to USA Today, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed that they were still determining the motive of the shooter. “Our country was struck by an attack in Utrecht,” he mentioned. “It is clear there were shots on tram passengers in Utrecht, that there really are wounded," He added that "a terror motive isn't excluded.”


In response to the morning’s events, the Netherlands's national coordinator for counterterrorism and security (NCTV) increased Utrecht's terrorism threat level to a 5, the highest level, up until 6 p.M.


As announced by CBS News, there really are strict gun control laws currently in place in the Netherlands. The possession of firearms and other weapons is prohibited, and firearm permits are likely only to be issued for members of a sport shooting association. Group in attempt to obtain a firearm in the Netherlands, you could submit an in-person application, demonstrate that your residence has the means needed to safely store a weapon, undergo a mental health examination, and issue three references. It then remains up to each individual police chief whether you could receive an allow to carry.