In a neighborhood of Apeldoorn, a 20-year-old man was shot dead on October 19, 2023. The Public Prosecution Service today demands an 18-year prison sentence and TBS with compulsory treatment against a 22-year-old suspect for murder. “This execution took place in broad daylight and on the street. Innocent locals, who attempted to end the conflict, were unwittingly dragged into the suspect’s criminal world.”
The execution was preceded by a scuffle on the street between the suspect, the later victim, and the victims cousin. A resident managed to end the fight and led the two cousins into their home. The suspect picked up his glasses from the ground and got into a car. Shortly after, the suspect exited the vehicle with a loaded weapon, approached the residence, and shot his first victim, who had also come outside. Subsequently, as witnesses reported, he tried to shoot the second man, but that failed. This is listed in the indictment as attempted murder.
The public prosecutor commented on the conflict: “The Public Prosecution Service does not overlook the fact that the victim wielded a knife and threatened the suspect that day. However, that offers no justification for the fact that the suspect soon after executed his victim on the street with a firearm.”
On the same day, the suspect and the driver of the car they fled the crime scene in were arrested. Initially, both invoked their right to remain silent, but that changed when confronted with clear CCTV footage of the murder. The Public Prosecution Service stated: “There is no doubt about who fired the bullets at the victim. That is this suspect.”
Despite extensive research, the underlying reason for the conflict and subsequent murder remains unclear; only suspicions exist regarding it. The Public Prosecution Service stated in court today during the motivation of the sentence demand: “None of the involved parties are willing to share more about this. And that is frustrating because countless rumors circulate in Apeldoorn, and also because the victim’s family still has to deal with these rumors. To this day, they have no clarity.”
The public prosecutor also stated that there was premeditated intent and thus murder. The Apeldoorner brought a loaded firearm to the appointment with his victim in an agitated state. In the hours prior to the shooting incident, he sent a message via social media and made a phone call revealing his anger. Additionally, throughout the incident, the suspect had time to reflect, indicating according to the Public Prosecution Service that there was no immediate emotional outburst.
Due to the high risk of recidivism and the fact that the suspect allegedly suffers from various personality disorders, posing a significant danger to society, the Public Prosecution Service demands—consistent with the advice—besides imprisonment also TBS with compulsory treatment. “It is entirely unacceptable that a person who poses a great danger to society, after a lengthy prison sentence, is released untreated into society, with all the associated risks.”