Utrecht tram shooting suspect confesses
March 22, 2019
The suspect in a deadly tram shooting in Utrecht has confessed and said he acted alone, Dutch prosecutors said Friday.
Turkish-born Gokmen Tanis, 37, stands accused of shooting dead three people and seriously wounding three others in the March 18 attack. He faces charges of murder with terrorist intent.
A judge on Friday ordered his continued detention for the maximum limit of two more weeks. He will then appear before a court and the detention can be extended to 90 days.
March for the victims
Prosecutors have yet to confirm the motive for the attack. However, authorities have said that the investigation has yet to turn up any connection between Tanis and his victims, casting doubt on a statement from some of his relatives to the Turkish media in the hours after that the shooting was a "family" or relationship issue.
Investigators are now looking into whether the violence "flowed from personal problems combined with a radicalized ideology." Prosecutors have asked for the suspect to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
The suspect is known to have a criminal record. A second suspect, a 40-year-old man who was taken into custody because Tanis was found at his home, was released on Friday after police ruled out his being an accomplice to the crime or obstructing justice.
Later on Friday, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the mayors of the four largest Dutch cities and hundreds of residents are expected to take part in a silent march honoring the victims.
cw,es/msh (AFP, AP, dpa)