For the Dutch Prime Minister, it is a “shocking and inconceivable” attack. A journalist specializing in criminal cases, Peter R. de Vries, was seriously wounded by gunshots Tuesday evening in Amsterdam. Police said they arrested three men, including the one suspected of being the author of the shots, for a reason that remained unknown on Tuesday evening.
Peter R de Vries is vanavond in de Lange Leidsedwarsstraat neergeschoten. Hij is zwaargewond naar het ziekenhuis overgebracht. Research is een grootschalig onderzoek gestart. https://t.co/gr7Euq1WnK pic.twitter.com/j0m6ccu2UH
– Politie Eenheid Amsterdam (@Politie_Adam) July 6, 2021
“A shooting took place in (street) Lange Leidsedwarsstraat this evening. Peter R. de Vries was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He is currently fighting for his life, ”police said in a statement, adding that an investigation had been opened.
Media figure
The 64-year-old journalist and television presenter is a personality known in the Netherlands for his role in several criminal cases. He has appeared regularly as a spokesperson for victims or in the close circle of key witnesses. Witnesses heard five gunshots and saw Peter R. de Vries shot in the head, NOS state television reported.
Police closed the area in which Peter R. de Vries was injured to traffic around 7:30 p.m., after speaking on a TV show in central Amsterdam.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Justice and Security Ferdinand Grapperhaus were due to visit the National Security and Counterterrorism Agency (NCTV) in The Hague in the evening to “discuss” the case , reported the Dutch news agency ANP.