The Dutch Police on Monday night arrested the suspect, who had alleged killed three people and injured several others after he opened fire in the Dutch city of Utrecht. The atatcker has been identified as 37-year-old Gokmen Tanis, who is believed to be of Turkish origin.
The police, however, said that the motive of the shooting was still not clear. Several media reports on Monday had said that a gunman opened fire in a tram at 24 Oktoberplain, a square outside the city centre, before running away from the spot.
Utrecht Mayor had said that the hunt for the gunman was underway.
Police spokesperson Joost Lanshage was quoted as saying, “Several shots were fired in a tram and several people were injured. Helicopters are at the scene and no arrests have been made.”
A tweet by Utrecht Police said, “A shooting occurred on the #24oktoberplein in #Utrecht. The incident has been reported at 10.45 hour. Multiple people have been injured. The surrounding area has been cordoned off and we are investigating the matter.”
A shooting occurred on the #24oktoberplein in #Utrecht. The incident has been reported at 10.45 hour. Multiple people have been injured. The surrounding area has been cordoned off and we are investigating the matter.
— Politie Utrecht (@PolitieUtrecht) March 18, 2019
The police have cordoned off the area with at least three rescue helicopters being deployed at the scene, reported CNN. Some local media reports said that the motive of the shooting may have been related to terror.
The Monday’s shooting comes just days after a terrorist in New Zealand had killed 50 Muslim worshippers as they gathered for Friday prayer at mosques in Christchurch.