Attack in Utrecht; Discovery of a Note Indicating 'Terrorist Motive'

Dutch judicial authorities are investigating potential terrorist motives behind the attack in Utrecht after a note was discovered in the car of the main suspect. Simultaneously, investigations are ongoing to find links between the suspect and the victims. Gokmen Tanis, a 37-year-old of Turkish descent who grew up in Utrecht, killed three people and injured nine others in a tram attack on Monday. He then fled the scene in a car but was eventually caught and arrested by police. On Tuesday, March 19, Dutch officials announced that a note found in Gokmen Tanis's car led them to consider terrorist motives behind the incident very likely. The police and the Dutch prosecutor's office stated in a joint statement: 'So far, a terrorist motive seems plausible. The evidence includes a letter found in the suspect's car, which can be assessed alongside a series of other facts and documents.' Gokmen Tanis, who was arrested after about seven hours of pursuit, is currently in custody. Witnesses report that the shooter fired at a woman on the tram and then attacked those who tried to help her. Two others have also been arrested in connection with the attack, one aged 23 and the other 27, both from Utrecht. Their names have not been disclosed, and it is still unclear what their potential connection to the attack is. The Dutch prosecutor's office has also stated that they have not yet been able to establish a connection between the shooter and the victims, although earlier reports suggested that a family dispute might have been the motive for the attack. Dutch media report that Gokmen Tanis has a significant criminal record and was in prison until two weeks before this attack.