Public prosecutors were concerned enough about the erratic behavior of a man now suspected of shooting three people dead in Rotterdam, Netherlands, that they had sent a warning letter to his school, they confirmed yesterday.
The 32-year-old man is due to appear before a judge on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the public prosecutors’ office said.
He is being held on suspicion of shooting a 39-year-old woman who lived near his home and her 14-year old daughter, and then a 43-year old doctor who taught at the Erasmus Medical Center where the suspect was a student.
Photo: EPA-EFE
All three victims died.
The prosecutors’ spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of a letter from prosecutors to the medical center circulating on Dutch media.
It described “psychotic behavior” and alcohol troubles, as well as complaints from neighbors over his treatment of animals.
The letter’s date was not visible.
“I presume that the information above will contribute to the decision as to whether the person concerned should be eligible for a general doctor’s diploma,” the letter said.
Regional broadcaster Rijnmond said the school then decided not to award the diploma to the man, whom other media identified as Fouad L.
The prosecutors’ spokesperson declined to comment.
Police have said they are investigating a motive for the shooting.
Images of students fleeing and patients being evacuated from the hospital have been playing on Dutch television news since the incident took place on Thursday afternoon.
Fatal shootings are rare in the Netherlands and the shootings drew condolences from Rotterdam’s mayor, as well as the country’s king and queen, among others.
The suspect allegedly started fires at the university and the woman’s home before he was arrested shortly after fleeing a building.
Rotterdam’s chief prosecutor Hugo Hillenaar on Thursday said that the suspect had a history of police run-ins and “in 2021 he was prosecuted and convicted for animal abuse.”
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