An armed man entered a store on Tuesday evening, an Apple Store according to local media, located in one of the main squares ofamsterdam, which was cordoned off by the police. The man took one or more people hostage, according to the police. “There is currently a hostage situation at the Apple Store in Leidseplein. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, we are unable to share any information about the situation and/or police action,” police said on Twitter.
According to the police, several people were able to leave the store. Authorities have asked netizens to exercise restraint in posting images, is in the process of determining how many people are in the shop building, Dutch public television NOS reports.
A robbery that turns into a hostage situation
According to initial information, the police received a report of an armed robbery at 5:40 p.m. This alleged robbery then turned into a hostage situation, according to Dutch public television NOS. Footage on social media shows an armed man holding another unarmed man. According to the media AT5several witnesses heard gunshots in the shop Apple Store.
Freelance journalist Tim Wagemakers, who was in another building overlooking the square, said on Twitter that he saw police officers with guns drawn. “The square has been emptied, people are locked in the bars, the doors are closed”, and people must “get away from the windows”, he said earlier in the evening.