This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Police in the Netherlands are searching for the suspect in a shooting on a tram that killed three and injured nine others in what is being considered a terrorist incident.
A man with a gun opened fire on a tram early Monday morning in the city of Utrecht, CNN reported. A manhunt is underway for the suspect.
UPDATE, 10:35 a.m. EST – Police confirmed that three people have died in the attack, and nine are injured.
De politie bevestigt dat het beeld op dit moment is dat er sprake is van 3 doden en 9 gewonden. #24oktoberplein #utrecht
In the case of the shooting at the #24oktoberplein in Utrecht the police confirms 3 death and 9 injured.— Politie Utrecht (@PolitieUtrecht) March 18, 2019
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Police in Utrecht tweeted a photo of the suspect, who they identified as 37-year-old Gokman Tanis, a Turkish native.
The police asks you to look out for the 37 year old Gökman Tanis (born in Turkey) associated with the incident this morning at the #24oktoberplein in #Utrecht. Do not approach him but call 0800-6070. pic.twitter.com/U1IWEDtUYu
— Politie Utrecht (@PolitieUtrecht) March 18, 2019
“The police asks you to look out for the 37 year old Gökman Tanis (born in Turkey) associated with the incident this morning at the #24oktoberplein in #Utrecht. Do not approach him but call 0800-6070.” the police tweeted.
“A shooting occurred on the #24oktoberplein in #Utrecht. The incident has been reported at 10.45 hour. Multiple people have been injured. The surrounding area has been cordoned off and we are investigating the matter,” the Utrecht Police tweeted.
A shooting occurred on the #24oktoberplein in #Utrecht. The incident has been reported at 10.45 hour. Multiple people have been injured. The surrounding area has been cordoned off and we are investigating the matter.
— Politie Utrecht (@PolitieUtrecht) March 18, 2019
“Several shots were fired in a tram and several people were injured. Helicopters are at the scene and no arrests have been made,” said police spokesman Joost Lanshage, according to CNBC News.
Netherlands’ National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism P.J. Aalbersberg tweeted, “NCTV is monitoring the situation in #Utrecht. In close contact with local authorities. We cannot rule out terrorist motive. Crisis team is activated.”
NCTV is monitoring the situation in #Utrecht. In close contact with local authorities. We cannot rule out terrorist motive. Crisis team is activated
— PJ Aalbersberg NCTV (@PJAalbersberg) March 18, 2019
Aalbersberg added that the threat level for Utrecht was raised to a 5 – the maximum.
“Perpetrator on the run. We cannot rule out terrorist motive,” he explained of the threat.
Threath level raised to 5, exclusively for the province of #utrecht untill 18 hrs. Perpetrator on the run. We cannot rule out terrorist motive. Follow local authorities for instructions.
— PJ Aalbersberg NCTV (@PJAalbersberg) March 18, 2019
A threat level of five in the Netherlands refers to the risk of terrorist activity. It signifies when a terrorist attack has taken place or is about to take place.
