At least three people have been killed in a series of shootings in the Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday, police have reported.
The incident occurred at around 10:45 a.m. local time in a residential area of the city. Police have arrested the alleged perpetrator, identified as 37-year-old Turkish-born Gokmen Tanis, who was taken into custody later Monday after a prolonged manhunt.
The victims, whose identities have not yet been released, were reportedly shot in the Turkish district of the city. The motive remains unknown, however police have cautioned against speculating and are currently investigating a potential terror link.
In a statement, officials said they were “looking into the possibility of a terrorist motive”, and have stated that anti-terror detectives are involved in the investigation. Government ministers have reportedly held an emergency meeting to discuss the incident.
The shootings have shocked the nation, with one local resident describing the attack as “horrible and bizarre”.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has pleaded for the nation to remain “calm and vigilant,” and praised the emergency services for their quick response to the emergency.
“Our nation has again been hit by an attack,” Rutte said at an earlier news conference. “If it is a terror attack, then, of course, we would harshly condemn it.”
Police have requested that the public remain inside and avoid the area, and those with information about the shooting are urged to come forward.
