'We can't get out': Chilling note in hospital window as three killed including girl, 14, in Rotterdam shootings

28 September 2023, 18:01 | Updated: 29 September 2023, 00:55

A chilling note was left in the window of the medical centre.
A chilling note was left in the window of the medical centre. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

Three people, including a 14-year-old girl, have died after a gunman opened fire at a medical centre in Rotterdam, according to Dutch officials.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The shooter opened fire at a home and then set it alight at about 14:00 local time before attacking the Erasmus Medical Centre.

A woman, 39, and her daughter, 14, died in the home while a lecturer, 43, named as Jurgen Damen, was killed at the hospital.

Rotterdam Police Department said a 32-year-old, who was a student at Erasmus University Medical Centre, has been arrested and is suspected of being involved in both incidents. A motive has not yet been established.

He has been named in Dutch media as Fouad L.

A man in camouflage was taken away from the hospital in handcuffs after specialist units swept onto the scene.

Police were not searching for a second shooter.

Videos posted online showed police instructing students, some wearing medical gowns, to run outside as heavily armed officers arrived at the scene.

A note inside the window of the university read 'we can't get out' in Dutch.
A note inside the window of the university read 'we can't get out' in Dutch. Picture: Alamy
Medical staff were spotted running out of the hospital.
Medical staff were spotted running out of the hospital. Picture: Alamy

Read more: 'Our hearts are broken': Family of girl, 15, stabbed to death in Croydon pay tribute to 'bright and funny' daughter

Read more: ‘He can’t change the colour of his skin’: Bianca Williams hits back over partner’s multiple police encounters

Fires broke out at both locations after the shootings occurred.

The Erasmus Medical Centre posted online: “Due to various incidents, we currently ask you not to come to Erasmus MC.”

Photos at the scene of the incident show a sign posted on the inside window of the university building which reads “we can’t get out” in Dutch.

Other images captured at the scene show medical staff running as they were rushed out the hospital building.

"This is a very dark day," caretaker Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yesilgöz toldnewspaper de Telegraaf.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Keir Starmer

Starmer to meet Biden, Macron and Scholz in Germany as leaders discuss Gaza and Ukraine

Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson have all given individual tributes to Liam Payne

Harry Styles pays tribute to Liam Payne, as Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik also share heartfelt memories

Liam Payne's One Direction bandmates say they're 'completely devastated' by death of their 'brother'

Liam Payne's One Direction bandmates left 'completely devastated' by death of their 'brother'

Yahya Sinwar was killed on Thursday, with Western leaders responding

Starmer says 'UK won't mourn death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar' as Biden calls for end to Gaza war

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar may have been killed in Gaza, Israeli forces say

'Good day for the world’: Biden says killing of October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar is ‘opportunity’ for peace in Gaza

Sara Sharif was found dead in August last year.

Sara Sharif, 10, was strangled before death and showed signs of starvation, court hears

Bailiff loses discrimination claim after boss bans her bringing emotional support dog to work

Bailiff loses discrimination claim after boss bans her bringing emotional support dog to work

Andrew Hill, 60, nearly died at the side of the road after he crashed his vintage Hawker Hunter jet into the A27 in West Sussex.

Shoreham air disaster pilot has flying bid rejected after crash kills 11

Kemi Badenoch would offer JK Rowling a peerage

JK Rowling should be given a peerage, says Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch

London, UK. 4 November 2023.   A spectacular fireworks display in Wimbledon, south west London on Bonfire Night. Credit amer ghazzal/Alamy Live News

Push to ban fireworks louder than a lawnmower because they cause sleepless nights and scare pets

Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires on Wednesday night

Liam Payne 'may have been unconscious' when he fell from balcony, police say, as fresh details emerge

Pictured: Seven-year-old boy who died in Newcastle house explosion named as Archie York

Pictured: Seven-year-old boy who died in Newcastle house explosion named locally as 'lovely lad' Archie York

The TikTok star has been told to stop filming paid content on London trains, reports claim

TikTok's 'Tube Girl' warned by TFL over sponsored videos

North Korea sends 3,000 troops to aid Russia as Kim Jong Un ‘fully enters’ Ukraine war

North Korea sends 3,000 troops to aid Russia as Kim Jong Un ‘fully enters’ Ukraine war

Champagne and a sausage roll - Greggs to open luxury bar in department store in Newcastle

Champagne and a sausage roll: Greggs to open luxury bar in department store in Newcastle

An area of low pressure is set to bring stormy weather to the UK

Exact date stormy weather with 80mph winds to batter UK as low pressure to 'explosively' deepen as it crosses Atlantic