In the end, “everything went well,” according to the police spokesperson. The four people who were victims of a hostage situation lasting several hours in the Netherlands on Saturday were released and the attacker was arrested and detained. The “terrorist motive” is ruled out. A look back at this attack which, fortunately, caused more fear than harm.
What happened ?
The attack took place in a night spot popular with young people in the town of Ede, about a hundred kilometers east of The Hague. Police said they were informed of a possible hostage situation at 5.15am at Café Petticoat, with local media claiming a “confused” man had burst in while staff were cleaning the premises after a party.
The man was armed with “several knives” which he showed to the hostages, prosecutor Marthyne Kunst said at a press conference at city hall. Police are also investigating a black backpack that the attacker, who allegedly threatened to use explosives, was carrying.
Police spokesperson Anne Jan Oosterheert said officers arrived on the scene within minutes of the man’s arrival and immediately began negotiations with him. A large number of anti-riot forces and explosives experts were deployed. Police evacuated the city center and residents of around 150 buildings near the cafe.
Who is the attacker?
The suspect is known to the police and has already been convicted of threatening behavior. An investigation is underway into his motivations and his psychological state, said Marthyne Kunst.
Several hours after the start of the hostage-taking, a first group of three people was released, images from public broadcaster NOS showing them leaving the building with their hands in the air. The fourth hostage was released shortly after, and the suspected hostage-taker was arrested.
Footage broadcast by NOS showed a man kneeling on the ground with his hands behind his back while officers restrained him using handcuffs.
What was the suspect’s motive?
“There are a lot of questions about motive. For the moment, there is nothing to indicate that this is a terrorist act,” police said on Saturday morning.
“A terrible situation for all these people. My concern and thoughts are with them and their loved ones. I hope that the situation will be resolved quickly and safely,” declared the mayor of Ede, Rene Verhulst. “The emotion is strong” in the city, said the mayor, adding that this Saturday morning had been “very intense”.