Key facts
- Dutch police arrested 34 suspects following a shooting in Overasselt.
- One man died and two police officers were injured in the incident.
- The arrested suspects included nationals from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Algeria.
- The shooting occurred after armed individuals approached a house, leading to a confrontation with police.
- The incident is reportedly linked to Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers and a long-running conflict.
- Weapons, data storage devices, and vehicles were seized.
Dutch police arrested 34 individuals, including French, Belgian, and Algerian nationals, after a fatal pre-dawn shootout in the village of Overasselt. The incident, which occurred around 4 a.m. Tuesday, resulted in the death of a 51-year-old man and injuries to two responding police officers. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors as the investigation unfolded.
According to police spokesperson Jolanda Aalbers, a group of heavily armed, masked men approached a house, and shots were fired, leading to the death of the resident and the wounding of officers. Several weapons, data storage devices, and vehicles were seized.
Local media reports suggest a connection to the criminal underworld of Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, known as Bolle Jos, who is wanted for international cocaine trafficking. Deputy chief prosecutor Monique Vinkesteijn confirmed the international nature of the arrested group and indicated the shooting may be linked to a "longstanding conflict" at the same house, which was targeted last year.
The suspects face charges including murder, manslaughter, and preparing a kidnapping, with further arrests possible. Mayor Joerie Minses expressed shock at the extreme violence, stating it was "un-Dutch" and unacceptable.