Utrecht tram shooting: 3 dead, 9 injured; 'no direct links' between suspect and victims
The tram shooting in the Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday has left three people dead and nine others injured, Utrecht Mayor Jan van Zanen said in a video statement on Twitter.
The incident took place at around 10:45 a.m. local time at the 24 Oktoberplein junction, police said on Twitter.
Local police released a picture showing the face of Turkish-born Gokmen Tanis on Twitter. / VCG Photo
The shooting suspect, Gokmen Tanis, has been arrested, local authorities said on Monday.
The attacker's motive remains unclear, and no direct connection has been found between him and the victims.
A letter was found in the gunman's getaway car and it is one of the reasons why Dutch authorities were "seriously" investigating a possible terrorist motive, according to local prosecutors.
Police officers walk near a tram at the 24 Oktoberplein junction in Utrecht, March 18, 2019. /VCG Photo
Police also arrested two other suspects, a 23-year-old and a 27-year-old, and authorities are investigating whether they had any involvement in the attack.
The terrorism threat level was lifted to the highest in Utrecht Province after the shooting. Dutch paramilitary police also increased security at airports and other vital public infrastructure.
Construction workers, some of whom have witnessed the attack, place flowers at a makeshift memorial at the site of a tram shooting in Utrecht, Netherlands, March 19, 2019. /VCG Photo
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the government is holding an emergency meeting following the shooting.
Police have not ruled out terrorism as the motive behind the incident.