Teacher among 2 killed as student goes on mass shooting in Rotterdam university

According to Dutch police, a shooter opened fire at a classroom at a university medical site in Rotterdam and a nearby residence on Thursday, killing a teacher and a local lady.

According to police, who spoke during a televised press conference, the 32-year-old suspect, a university student, fatally shot a 39-year-old woman who lived in his neighbourhood and critically injured her 14-year-old daughter.

The assailant burned down the woman’s home before heading to the Rotterdam Medical Centre academic hospital, where he fatally murdered a 46-year-old instructor inside a classroom.

Near the hospital, where he also started a fire, the man was apprehended. His motivation was unclear.

“We have been shocked by a horrible incident. Shots were fired in two different places in the city. Many people witnessed it,” Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said. “Emotions in the city are very high. My condolences go out to the victims.”

“The suspect was known to law enforcement and in 2021 he was prosecuted and convicted for animal abuse,” said Hugo Hillenaar, Rotterdam’s chief prosecutor.

Online videos showed police directing students to leave the building as heavily armed arrest squads approached; some of the students were wearing medical gowns. In one video, a man wearing what looked to be camouflage trousers was handcuffed.

There were no signs of a second shooter, according to the police.

(With agency inputs)