- Title: Shocked Rotterdammers lay flowers for victims of shootings
- Date: 29th September 2023
- Summary: ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (SEPTEMBER 29, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE EMBRACING HOLDING FLOWERS OUTSIDE HOSPITAL WHICH WAS SCENE OF SHOOTING EXTERIOR OF HOSPITAL PEOPLE EMBRACING OUTSIDE EXTERIOR OF HOSPITAL, PERSON IN MEDICAL UNIFORM WALKING PAST VARIOUS OF MAIN ENTRANCE OF HOSPITAL STREET WITH HOUSE WHICH WAS SCENE OF SHOOTING AND FIRE FIRE DAMAGE ON WINDOWS (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN AND COLLEAGUE OF TEACHER KILLED, SVEN CRAMA, 40, FROM ROTTERDAM, SAYING: "I know him (teacher who was shot) from before. He is the friend of a good friend of mine. So he is not a direct friend, but we used to see each other at birthday parties. He's just a very laid-back, friendly guy with very nice charisma. You wouldn't wish it on anyone but he wasn't someone who had done anyone wrong. The moment I heard his name and also saw his picture and realised it was him, I got more emotional. It's different anyway when you know someone personally." POLICE TAPE (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN AND COLLEAGUE OF TEACHER KILLED, SVEN CRAMA, 40, FROM ROTTERDAM, SAYING: "I am most of all sad for his wife and child. And I also think about the fact that apparently he was attacked for his position in the hospital, knowing that he was doing good things. I know it's still speculation, but apparently that was why he was murdered." FLOWERS ON RAILINGS OUTSIDE HOUSE BARRIERS ERECTED OUTSIDE HOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) WIFE OF CRAMA, AMMARA MEIJERINK, 38, SAYING: "My daughter goes to school here (close to house) and she already asked me what she should do if a man shows up with a weapon at the window. 'Should I yell or hide?' So yes, what happened has effects in many ways." STUFFED TOYS OUTSIDE HOUSE FLOWERS LAID NEAR BARRIER (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) PSYCHOLOGIST WORKING FOR CITY OF ROTTERDAM, ROOS BONNIER, WORKS OPPOSITE ALLEGED ASSAILANT'S HOUSE, SAYING: "It's really terrible. I couldn't stop crying when I heard the news and now I'm here, I wasn't here yesterday, but my thoughts are with all the people who were here and it's so, so sad. That's what I am feeling right now. It's sad that excesses of this kind exist." VARIOUS OF NEIGHBOUR ROB, 32, WITH DOG ON LEAD PLAYING WITH OTHER DOG (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) NEIGHBOUR, ROB, 32, SAYING: "I didn't know it yet (warnings about suspect already made by prosecutors), but it's a bad surprise. I already know that he was known for animal cruelty, but knowing that there had been warnings before and nothing had been done with the information... That's really serious, it's really serious." MAN TAKING NEWSPAPER FROM STAND IN NEWSAGENT'S
- Embargoed: 13th October 2023 10:16
- Keywords: Rotterdam fire hospital house school shooting student
- Location: ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
- City: ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
- Country: Netherlands
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001578829092023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: An acquaintance of the teacher who was a victim of Thursday's (September 28) shooting at a medical centre in Rotterdam described him as "laid-back (and) friendly" as locals came to terms with the attack on Friday (September 29).
A small pile of flowers were laid outside the Erasmus Medical Center where the victim, a 43-year-old doctor, taught and where the suspected perpetrator, a 32-year-old man due to appear before a judge on Oct. 3, was a student.
Two neighbours of the alleged attacker, a 39-year-old woman and her 14-year old daughter, were also killed on Thursday and a fire was started at their home.
Public prosecutors confirmed on Friday that they were concerned enough about the erratic behaviour of the suspect that they had previously sent a warning letter to his school.
The prosecutor's spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of a letter to the Erasmus Medical Center 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.
Police have said they are investigating a motive for the shooting.
(Production: Bart Biesemans, Johnny Cotton) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None