Two injured in Erasmus hospital shooting; Suspect on the run

Two people were injured in two shooting incidents in, or near, the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam on Thursday afternoon. One suspect is on the loose, according to the Rotterdam police. Several tactical teams entered a hospital building an hour after the second incident. A fire also broke out at the scene of both shootings.

Witnesses said at least one person was taken into custody at the scene, but it was not clear if that was the gunman. A video was circulating on X in which a person is being arrested near the hospital.

The police reported that one shooting took place in a home on Heiman Dullaertplein and the other in a classroom at the Erasmus Medical Center complex on Rochussenlaan. The suspect was armed with a handgun, police said. The police were not sure whether he fled the scene by motorcycle or if he was inside the hospital. He was last seen wearing clothing police described as being “combat” style, as well as a backpack and headphones. He was described as being tall, in his mid-twenties, and with black hair.

“Around 2:25 p.m., we received several reports of a shooting incident in the area of ​​Rochussenstraat/Heiman Dullaertplein/Dr. Molenwaterplein. We are on site with several units,” the Rotterdam police wrote in a post on social media platform X at 2:56 p.m.

According to the police, two people sustained injuries. The entrance to Erasmus MC on Rochussenstraat has been cordoned off, De Telegraaf reported. At least one police helicopter was flying above the scene. Officers on site were visibly wearing body armor over their uniforms.

A fire broke out in the residence on Heiman Dullaertplein near the hospital, where gunshots were also fired. Two people were believed to be injured at that scene, one of whom had to be resuscitated. According to the regional security office, the fire was under control around 4 p.m.

The police tactical team (DSI) entered the medical center’s building, the police reported at 3:38 p.m. “The suspect has not yet been arrested and the DSI is checking whether he is possibly inside the EMC,” the police wrote.

An eyewitness told Rijnmond, ”I heard a lot of sirens. I saw police in jeans and protective outerwear and helmets with hoods and they were carrying guns. At first, I thought it was the riot police, but it turned out to be the arrest team. Then the entrance was closed. The police shouted, ‘Everybody out! Take your things!'”

There were also reports on social media of a fire inside the EMC.

Erasmus MC – Rotterdam pic.twitter.com/Tbmx69Pc8N

— Mø (@MSuluki) September 28, 2023

Dader is mogelijk op weg op motorfiets. Draagt gevechtskleding,is lang, zwart haar, midden 20, rugzak en headphone, met handvuurwapen. Ziet u hem. Bel 112! (2/2)

— Politie Eenheid Rotterdam eo (@POL_Rotterdam) September 28, 2023

Omgeving rochussenstraat wordt afgezocht pic.twitter.com/F9Hnt8aLiT

— Lucette Mascini (@lucettemascini) September 28, 2023