High prison sentences of 26 years, two times 18 years, and one time 14 years have been demanded today against four Eindhoven residents suspected of involvement in a fatal shooting incident in Eindhoven and home robberies in Antwerp and Uden. The shooting incident took place on June 23, 2024, on Rode Kruislaan. According to the public prosecutor, the reason the Eindhoven victim (41) had to die was nothing more than an ordinary traffic dispute. “It was a public execution on a beautiful summer evening.”
That evening, an officer was driving with his partner in his free time on Rode Kruislaan when an oncoming car suddenly turned and stopped right in front of him. In the car, the officer saw four men who suddenly braked near a parked car. Several men got out. The passenger also got out and almost immediately shot the driver of the vehicle at close range. The car then drove away quickly.
The officers partner jumped out of the car and immediately provided first aid to the victim. In vain, as the 41-year-old Eindhoven resident died shortly after in the hospital from his injuries. Meanwhile, the officer followed the group of four and saw them park their car further on and change clothes. When he identified himself as an officer and tried to arrest them, they ran into the neighborhood. Other units shortly thereafter cordoned off a large area, resulting in the arrest of two of the four suspects.
Traffic dispute
During the initial interrogations, several arrested men pointed out the person who fired the shot. The suspected shooter was then arrested a day later. Later, the fourth occupant of the car was also arrested. The investigation revealed that prior to the shooting incident, there had been a traffic dispute between two suspects and the later victim, during which the victim had at some point dealt blows. The later shooter reportedly sustained injuries to his face. Police investigations showed that the two suspects had picked up two others in possession of firearms. The group then, while driving in a car, deliberately searched for the later victim. “The motive in this case is revenge and vigilante justice,” said the public prosecutor in court.
Although the firearm used was never found, DNA from one of the four men was found on a cartridge case near the victims vehicle. During the ride, the traffic dispute was discussed and apparently a plan was made.
On a rampage
Besides murder in association, the group is also suspected of attempted extortion in Antwerp and a brutal home robbery in Uden. In Antwerp, in mid-May 2024, masked men kicked down a door with force and seriously threatened the residents with, among other things, a firearm. Several young children were present in the home at that time. It concerned an outstanding debt in the criminal milieu that had to be paid. Three of the four suspects were involved, according to the Belgian criminal file. After the suspects could be linked to the Eindhoven shooting incident, the Public Prosecution Service East Brabant took over the case.
In Uden, it happened again three weeks later. A 14-year-old boy witnessed this case. After forcibly entering a home, the suspects put a pistol to the head of the main resident and demanded money. Cameras at the home provided part of the evidence that the four Eindhoven residents were involved in the robbery. Additionally, there was DNA material and the investigation team had access to mast data. The car used matched the vehicle the men drove around the shooting incident 2.5 weeks earlier. Furthermore, one of the four suspects confessed and explained the role of the other three.
According to the public prosecutor, this case involves a ruthless group of very violent and conscienceless criminals. A long prison sentence is the only appropriate punishment to protect society from them. “In less than six weeks, the suspects deliberately caused a trail of dull misery; a considerable number of lives have been destroyed, disrupted, and completely turned upside down.”
