Netherlands Shooting Suspect Arrested As Authorities Investigate Motive

Dutch police have arrested the man accused of shooting three people dead and leaving five more wounded on a Utrecht tram as authorities work to determine a motive for the deadly incident.

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BBC reports law enforcement authorities detained Gokmen Tanis, 37, after an eight-hour manhunt saw much of the city placed on lockdown.

via AP

In a statement made after the Turkish national’s arrest, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said “Questions and rumours abound. And, as we said earlier this afternoon: the motives for the attack are still unclear.”

Although the incident was initially treated as an act of terror, a Dutch prosecutor said the attack may have been borne of “family issues”. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a man target a woman on the tram before opening fire on those who came to her aid.

Tanis is known to law enforcement authorities. BBC Turkish has also received unconfirmed reports Tanis previously fought in Chechnya, the Russian republic which has seen jihadist activity in recent years.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the shooting.

“We extend our condolences and wish fortitude to the families of those who lost their lives, and speedy recovery to those wounded,” the ministry said.

The shooting comes just days after an Australian man was accused of opening fire at two New Zealand mosques, killing 50 worshippers and wounding more.

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