Historical eventSeptember 282023

2023 Rotterdam shootings

The 2023 Rotterdam shootings occurred, during which two people were killed in a shooting and arson incident at a residence in Delfshaven, Rotterdam. Additionally, one person lost their life in a classroom at the Erasmus University Medical Center.

In context

When
Thursday, September 28 20233 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
21st century · 2020s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 2023-09-28.

Place: Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Type: mass shooting.

Deaths reported: 3.

Who was involved

Perpetrator A 32-year-old Rotterdam resident was arrested after the shootings. [ 1 ] He was identified by Dutch authorities as Fouad Lakhlili from Rotterdam (born 11 February 1991 in Utrecht ), a student of the Erasmus University medical school, and had previously been convicted of animal cruelty . He was described by prosecutors as showing signs of "psychotic behavior" in a warning sent to the hospital prior to the shooting. [ 2 ]

What happened

Aftermath Classes were canceled at Erasmus University Medical Center and students were invited to gather near the building involved to hold a memorial and mourn. [ 1 ] ^ Cite error: The named reference bbc was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).

Reactions Rotterdam's mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb called the incidents a "pitch-black day" for the city, while outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed his condolences to those affected. [ 1 ] Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius expressed her condolences and thanked the emergency services for their efforts and action. [ 2 ] ^ Cite error: The named reference bbc was invoked but never defined (see the help page ). ^ https://twitter.com/DilanYesilgoz/status/1707444648644383050

On 28 September 2023, two shootings occurred in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The first, in which two people were killed, was at a residence on Heiman Dullaertplein, followed by a second, in which one person was killed, in a classroom at the Erasmus University Medical Center. The perpetrator, identified as medical student Fouad Lakhlili was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2025.

September 28 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 2008Falcon 1
  2. 20092009 Guinean protests
  3. 2012Sita Air Flight 601
  4. 2012Battle of Kismayo (2012)
  5. 2012Somali Civil War (2009–present)
  6. 20142014 Hong Kong protests
  7. 20162016 South Australian blackout
  8. 20182018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami
  9. 2022Hurricane Ian
  10. 2023Sycamore Gap tree
  11. 20232023 Rotterdam shootings

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Everything we record for 2023 →

Sources

Cite this page

“2023 Rotterdam shootings”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/2023-rotterdam-shootings-2023-september-28, accessed October 28, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did 2023 Rotterdam shootings happen?

September 28 2023 — 3 years ago, on a Thursday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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