For the Dutch prime minister, it is a “shocking and inconceivable” attack. A journalist specializing in criminal matters, Peter R. de Vries, was seriously injured by gunfire on Tuesday night in Amsterdam. Police said they had arrested three men, including the suspect in the shooting, for a reason that remained unknown on Tuesday night.
“A shooting took place in (street) Lange Leidsedwarsstraat this evening. Peter R. de Vries was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He is fighting for his life,” police said in a statement, adding that an investigation has been opened.
The 64-year-old journalist and television presenter is a well-known personality in the Netherlands for his role in various criminal cases. He regularly appeared as a spokesperson for victims or in the closed circle of key witnesses. Witnesses heard five shots and saw Peter R. de Vries shot in the head, state television NOS reported.
Police closed the area where Peter R. de Vries was injured in traffic around 7:30 pm, after speaking on a TV show in central Amsterdam.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Justice and Security Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus were to visit the National Security and Counter-Terrorism Agency (NCTV) in The Hague in the evening to “discuss” the case, the Dutch news agency ANP reported.