{{short description|2019 shooting on a tram in Utrecht, Netherlands}} {{use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox civilian attack | title = Utrecht tram shooting | image = Afzetting van het 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht op 18 maart 2019 na de tramaanslag die dag.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = The tram after the attack | map = Location 24 Oktoberplein.png | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of the shooting | location = 24 Oktoberplein, [[Utrecht]], Netherlands | target = Civilians | coordinates = {{coord|52.0807|5.0914|type:event|display=inline,title}} | date = {{start date|2019|03|18|df=y}} | time = 10:41 | timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]] | type = [[Mass shooting]], [[Islamic terrorism]], [[mass murder]] | fatalities = 4 | injuries = 6| weapon = Pistol with [[silencer (firearms)|silencer]]<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2020-03-20 |title=Dutch Court Convicts Man in Deadly Tram Terrorist Attack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/world/europe/dutch-tram-terrorist-attack.html |access-date= |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | motive = [[Islamic extremism]],Possible Retaliation to [[Christchurch mosque shootings]] | perpetrator = Gokmen Tanis | convicted = [[Murder]] with terrorist intent (4 counts)<br>[[Attempted murder]] with terrorist intent (3 counts)<br>[[Terrorism]] (17 counts) | verdict = [[Life imprisonment in the Netherlands|Life imprisonment]] }}
On the morning of 18 March 2019,<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2020-03-20 |title=Dutch Court Convicts Man in Deadly Tram Terrorist Attack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/world/europe/dutch-tram-terrorist-attack.html |access-date= |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> four people were killed and six others were injured in a [[mass shooting]] on a [[Utrecht sneltram|tram]] in [[Utrecht]], [[Netherlands]].<ref name="RTV Utrecht"/> One of the injured died of his injuries ten days later.<ref name="NBC News"/> Gökmen Tanis, a 37-year-old Dutch citizen (before being stripped of citizenship in 2022), originally from Turkey, was arrested later that day following a major security operation and manhunt.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47615231 |title=Dutch shooting: Utrecht police arrest suspect after three killed - BBC News |publisher=Bbc.com |date= 2019-03-18|access-date=19 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318201952/https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-europe-47615231 |archive-date=18 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all |work=BBC News }}</ref><ref name="reuters arrest" /> He was later convicted of murder with [[Terrorism|terrorist]] intent and sentenced to [[Life imprisonment in the Netherlands|life in prison]]. The shooting was considered an act of [[Islamic extremism]].<ref name="life imprisonment">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nu.nl/schietpartij-utrecht/6039024/gokmen-t-krijgt-levenslang-voor-aanslag-in-utrechtse-tram.html |title=Gökmen T. krijgt levenslang voor aanslag in Utrechtse tram |date=20 March 2020 |work=nu.nl |access-date=20 Mar 2020 |language=nl-NL}}</ref><ref name="DW22Mar">[https://www.dw.com/en/utrecht-tram-shooting-suspect-confesses-claims-he-acted-alone/a-48028100 "Utrecht tram shooting suspect confesses, claims he acted alone"]. [[Deutsche Welle]], 22 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/gokmen-tanis-bekent-schietpartij-in-tram-in-utrecht~a239a24a/ |title=Gökmen Tanis bekent schietpartij in tram in Utrecht |last=Franck |first=Roeland |date=22 March 2019 |work=AD |access-date=23 April 2019 |language=nl-NL}}</ref>
== Attack == On the day of the shooting, Gökmen Tanis walked from his mother's house to the 24 Oktoberplein tram station. He carried a pistol equipped with a silencer underneath his jacket and several rounds of loose ammunition. Tanis stood at the station's platform until a tram arrived. At 10:41:00 [[Central European Time|CET]] (09:41:00 [[UTC]]), Tanis entered the rear car of the tram. As the tram departed from the station, 17 passengers, including Tanis, were inside the rear car of the tram.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Rechtspraak Mededeling |url=https://mededeling.rechtspraak.nl/404 |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=mededeling.rechtspraak.nl}}</ref>
In the tram, Tanis pulled out his pistol and walked to the front of the car. At the front of the car, Tanis aimed his pistol at the back of a man's head. He pulled the trigger but the gun malfunctioned. Tanis walked back towards the rear of the car. At the halfway point of the car, Tanis drew his pistol and tried to fire at a woman twice. The gun malfunctioned in both attempts. At 10:41:35, Tanis took a step forward and aimed his pistol at a different woman sitting opposite to the woman he had just tried to kill. This time, he fired his first shot into the woman's chest, killing her. Tanis aimed his pistol back at the woman he previously failed to shoot. She was now holding up a bag to protect herself. Tanis shot her in the torso, wounding her.<ref name=":3" />
At this point, the passengers in the tram car began to panic and ran to both the front end and back end of the car. After shooting the women, Tanis aimed his pistol at another person who quickly ducked out of the way. Tanis walked to the front end of the car. At the front end of the car, four passengers, including 49-year-old Rinke Terpstra, were trying to open the doors. Tanis aimed his pistol at Terpsta and fired twice at him. Terpsta quickly raised his bag to protect himself, blocking both bullets. Terpsta pulled the tram's emergency brakes, causing the vehicle to stop. Tanis turned around and fired twice at a man who was still sitting in his seat, killing him. After killing the man, Tanis walked to the rear end of the tram car. As he walked to the rear of the car, Tanis fired another shot into the woman he had previously killed, causing her body to fall out of her seat.<ref name=":3" />
At the rear end of the tram car, a passenger managed to break open one of the doors. Eight of the passengers jumped out of the broken doors. One of the passengers injured herself as she fell out of the tram, causing her to struggle to stand up just outside the tram. A couple and their baby were the last people to escape through the doors. They left their [[Baby transport|stroller]] wedged between the set of doors, blocking it. Tanis walked up to the doors and fired a shot into the back of the woman who was struggling to stand up, leaving her further injured. After shooting the woman, Tanis removed the magazine from his pistol to inspect it. Tanis then walked back to the front end of the tram car while loading cartridges to his magazine.<ref name=":3" />
At the front end of the tram car, a passenger managed to kick out a window of one set of doors. Tanis slid the magazine back in his pistol and approached the passengers. Six of the passengers jumped out of the broken door window in a line, with Terpsta being the last person to jump. Just after Terpsta was able to jump out of the tram, Tanis walked up to the door with the broken window and fatally shot Terpsta. After killing Terpsta, Tanis sat down on a seat to load more cartridges into his magazine. He sat near the dead body of one of his victims. After inserting his loaded magazine back into his pistol, Tanis approached the broken door window and stepped out of the tram at 10:43:09.<ref name=":3" />
Outside of the tram, a crowd of people were trying to carry one of the injured women to the cars stopped at a traffic light in Beneluxlaan. Tanis approached the group and fired at them, hitting no one. The group left the injured woman on the street. Tanis approached a person who was hiding behind a car. He aimed the pistol at them but decided to spare them. Tanis continued walking towards the cars at the traffic light and fired a single shot, hitting a person's car. Tanis stopped in front of two different cars. He pointed his weapon at the drivers of both of the cars before deciding to shoot the driver to his right twice. The driver was mortally wounded and would die of his injuries days later. After shooting the driver, Tanis entered an abandoned [[Renault Clio]] and drove towards Pijperlaan. He swerved around the tram and briefly slowed down past a bus stop in Pijperlaan. As he slowed down, he fired several shots at the people outside, hitting no one, before driving away.<ref name=":3" />
The shooting took place on a [[Utrecht sneltram|light railway]] near the 24 Oktoberplein junction in [[Utrecht]].<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Henley |first1=Jon |title=Utrecht shooting: several injured on tram as man opens fire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/18/utrecht-shooting-tram-dutch-netherlands |access-date=18 March 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=18 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318104906/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/18/utrecht-shooting-tram-dutch-netherlands |archive-date=18 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The shooter fled in a car, leading to a large scale police manhunt, which lasted for much of the day.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|last1=Davies|first1=Gareth|date=18 March 2019|title=Utrecht shooting: At least one dead after 'potential terror attack' on tram|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/18/utrecht-shooting-several-injured-shooting-utrecht-tram/|url-status=live|access-date=18 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318115621/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/18/utrecht-shooting-several-injured-shooting-utrecht-tram/|archive-date=18 March 2019|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Several hours later, the police arrested Gökmen Tanis, a 37-year-old man born in [[Turkey]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nos.nl/liveblog/2276523-politie-geeft-foto-verdachte-vrij-dreigingsniveau-utrecht-naar-hoogste-niveau.html|title=Politie geeft foto vrij van verdachte|date=18 March 2019|access-date=18 March 2019|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2276544-politie-utrecht-zoekt-37-jarige-verdachte-gokmen-tanis.html|title=Politie Utrecht zoekt 37-jarige verdachte Gökmen Tanis|date=18 March 2019|access-date=18 March 2019|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/world/utrecht-tram-shooting-suspected-gunman-arrest/|title=Utrecht tram shooting: Suspected gunman arrested|work=[[LBC]]|date=18 March 2019|access-date=20 March 2019|archive-date=20 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320180810/https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/world/utrecht-tram-shooting-suspected-gunman-arrest/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, two further arrests were made in connection to the shooting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nu.nl/schietpartij-utrecht/5797209/vermoedelijke-dader-en-twee-andere-verdachten-aanslag-utrecht-opgepakt.html|title=Vermoedelijke dader en twee andere verdachten aanslag Utrecht opgepakt|date=18 March 2019|website=NU|access-date=19 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319004838/https://www.nu.nl/schietpartij-utrecht/5797209/vermoedelijke-dader-en-twee-andere-verdachten-aanslag-utrecht-opgepakt.html|archive-date=19 March 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|language=nl-NL}}</ref> Police impounded a red Renault Clio in connection with the attack.<ref name="thecarvolgensNOS">{{cite web|title=Drie doden bij aanslag in Utrecht, inwoners moeten binnenblijven|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2276519-drie-doden-bij-aanslag-in-utrecht-inwoners-moeten-binnenblijven.html|date=18 March 2019|publisher=NOS: Nederlandse Omroep Stichting, Hilversum|access-date=18 March 2019|language=nl-NL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=18 March 2019|title='Gestolen' rode Renault Clio aangetroffen in Utrecht|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/3309476/gestolen-rode-renault-clio-aangetroffen-in-utrecht|date=18 March 2019|website=Telegraaf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319063540/https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/3309476/gestolen-rode-renault-clio-aangetroffen-in-utrecht|archive-date=19 March 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|language=nl-NL}}</ref>
Initially, it was reported that one of the women shot may have been the target due to "family reasons" and other passengers coming to her aid were then also targeted.<ref name="Henley">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/18/utrecht-shooting-tram-dutch-netherlands |title=Utrecht tram shooting suspect arrested after three killed |author=Jon Henley and Jennifer Rankin |work=The Guardian |date=18 March 2019 |access-date=18 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318104906/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/18/utrecht-shooting-tram-dutch-netherlands |archive-date=18 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> However, law enforcement later announced there was no evidence of any connection between Tanis and the victims. Instead, a note found in the getaway car hinted at [[terrorism]] being the motive.<ref name="FOX No indication family link">{{cite news |title=The Latest: 'No indication' Utrecht shooter knew victims |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/the-latest-no-indication-utrecht-shooter-knew-victims |access-date=19 March 2019 |work=FOX News |date=19 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319114809/https://www.foxnews.com/world/the-latest-no-indication-utrecht-shooter-knew-victims |archive-date=19 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Throughout the attack, Tanis also shouted "Allahu Akbar" several times.<ref name=":3" />
==Victims== Three people were killed immediately and seven others were injured, three severely.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47615231|title=Three dead as Dutch police hunt tram gunman|date=18 March 2019|access-date=18 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318151208/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47615231|archive-date=18 March 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="RTV Utrecht">{{cite news |title=LIVE: Rutte legt bloemen, Tanis uiterlijk vrijdag voor rechter, "Utrecht, stay strong" |url=https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/1895510/ |access-date=19 March 2019 |work=RTV Utrecht |date=19 March 2019 |language=nl}}</ref> The injured were taken to the [[University Medical Center Utrecht]].<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news |last1=Schuetze |first1=Christopher F. |last2=Barthelemy |first2=Claire |last3=Schreuer |first3=Milan |title=Gunman Attacks Tram Passengers in Utrecht, Dutch Police Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/18/world/europe/utrecht-shooting-netherlands.html |work=The New York Times |date=18 March 2019 |access-date=18 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318134605/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/18/world/europe/utrecht-shooting-netherlands.html |archive-date=18 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The three people killed were identified as two men from Utrecht aged 49 and 28, and a 19-year-old woman from the nearby city of [[Vianen]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47622916 |title=Dutch shooting: Letter suggests motive in Utrecht attack |publisher=Bbc.com |date= 2019-03-19|access-date=19 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319213939/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47622916 |archive-date=19 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all |work=BBC News }}</ref> A neighbour of the murdered 19-year-old started a crowd-funding action to cover the costs of her funeral, reaching the target within hours. It received so many donations that it was turned into a fund for all of the victims of the attack.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/1895800/?fb=true|title=Inzamelingsactie Roos (19) groot succes, nu voor alle slachtoffers aanslag|website=RTV Utrecht|language=nl-NL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://getfunded.nl/campagne/4321-kleine-bijdrage-in-kosten-afscheid-lieve-roos |title=Kleine bijdrage in kosten afscheid lieve Roos |access-date=20 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320110630/https://getfunded.nl/campagne/4321-kleine-bijdrage-in-kosten-afscheid-lieve-roos |archive-date=20 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The 49-year-old victim, Rinke Terpstra, broke a window in the tram which allowed at least five people to escape. Terpstra was posthumously awarded the ''[[Honorary Medal for Charitable Assistance|Erepenning voor Menslievend Hulpbetoon]]'' for his actions.<ref name=NLT300623>{{Cite web |url=https://nltimes.nl/2023/06/30/hero-died-saving-5-utrecht-tram-mass-shooting-will-receive-top-honor |title=Hero who died saving 5 during Utrecht tram mass shooting will receive top honor |publisher=NL Times |accessdate=30 June 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-18 |title=Rinke (49) werd vijf jaar geleden vermoord bij tramaanslag in Utrecht: "Hij redde levens" |url=https://nos.nl/regio/overijssel/artikel/498727-rinke-49-werd-vijf-jaar-geleden-vermoord-bij-tramaanslag-in-utrecht-hij-redde-levens |access-date= |website=nos.nl |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thijssen |first=Wil |date=18 March 2023 |title=Rinke moet een raam intrappen, want de tramdeur blijft dicht |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v/2023/rinke-werd-doodgeschoten-bij-de-tramaanslag-in-utrecht-zijn-familie-vraagt-zich-nog-steeds-af-waarom-bleven-de-deuren-dicht~v669391/?referrer=https://www.google.com/ |access-date= |website=De Volkskrant}}</ref>
A 74-year-old man injured in the shooting died of his injuries on 28 March,<ref>{{cite news |title=Zoon van vierde slachtoffer aanslag Utrecht: 'Hij heeft zo veel geleden' |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2278004-zoon-van-vierde-slachtoffer-aanslag-utrecht-hij-heeft-zo-veel-geleden.html |access-date=29 March 2019 |work=NOS |date=28 March 2019 |language=nl}}</ref> bringing the death toll to four.<ref name="NBC News">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/fourth-victims-dies-following-utrecht-tram-attack-n988491|title=Fourth victim dies following Utrecht tram attack|publisher=NBC News|date=28 March 2019|access-date=28 March 2019}}</ref>
==Perpetrator== {{Interlanguage link|Gökmen Tanis|nl}} was arrested after a manhunt on the day of the attack.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47615231|title=Dutch police arrest tram shooting suspect|date=2019-03-19|access-date=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/gokmen-tanis-utrecht-shootings-tram-rape-jail-past-a8830821.html|title=Utrecht shootings suspect accused of rape, jailed for burglary and cleared of manslaughter|date=2019-03-19|website=The Independent|access-date=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="Panorama 2019">{{cite web | title=Buurtgenoten: 'Gökmen Tanis geen terrorist' | website=Panorama | date=19 March 2019 | url=https://panorama.nl/misdaad/binnenland/buurtgenoten-gokmen-tanis-geen-terrorist | language=nl | access-date=21 March 2019 | archive-date=21 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321070917/https://panorama.nl/misdaad/binnenland/buurtgenoten-gokmen-tanis-geen-terrorist | url-status=dead }}</ref>
Tanis was born on 2 July 1981<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2019-03-18 |title=Gezochte Gökmen Tanis stond eerder terecht voor schieten in Kanaleneiland en verkrachting |url=https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/1895394/gezochte-gokmen-tanis-stond-eerder-terecht-voor-schieten-in-kanaleneiland-en-verkrachting |access-date= |website=RTVUtrecht |language=nl}}</ref> in [[Yozgat Province]], Turkey, and came to the Netherlands in 1993 with his parents and two brothers, due to political instability.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=7 April 2019 |title=Gökmen Tanış |url=https://www.platformdergisi.com/yazi/yazarlar/27392/gokmen-tanis |access-date= |website=Platform Dergisi}}</ref> His parents divorced in 2008 and since then he had lost contact with his father.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schreuer |first=Milan |last2=Pérez-Peña |first2=Richard |date=2019-03-18 |title=Brazen Shooting Traumatizes Dutch City, Three Days After Christchurch Killings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/18/world/europe/utrecht-shooting.html |access-date= |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Until 2017, he lived mainly with his mother. In the Utrecht neighborhood [[Kanaleneiland]], Tanis is known for his hair color as 'De Rode Turk'<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-03-18 |title=Gökmen T. richtte 5 jaar geleden een bloedbad aan: wat gebeurde er op 18 maart 2019? |url=https://panorama.nl/artikel/581760/gokmen-t-richtte-5-jaar-geleden-een-bloedbad-aan-wat-gebeurde-er-op-18-maart-2019 |access-date= |website=Panorama |language=nl}}</ref> or 'Lokman'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2020 |title=Beest, zielepoot, doorgesnoven gek: Gökmen Tanis is het allemaal |url=https://myprivacy.dpgmedia.nl/consent?siteKey=V9f6VUvlHxq9wKIN&callbackUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ad.nl%2Fprivacy-gate%2Faccept-tcf2%3FredirectUri%3D%252Fbinnenland%252Fbeest-zielepoot-doorgesnoven-gek-gokmen-tanis-is-het-allemaal%7Ea749609d%252F |access-date= |website=Algemeen Dagblad}}</ref>
As of 2011, Tanis has been intermittently addicted to [[hard drugs]]. According to his family and local residents, he was very aggressive when he used drugs, and, apart from his interactions with other drug users, he was almost always seen alone. In the periods between his addictions he focused more on his [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] faith.<ref name=":6">[https://nos.nl/artikel/2277059-gokmen-t-als-verslaafde-agressief-afgekickt-rustiger- en-religious.html 'Gökmen T. as an addict aggressive, quieter and religiously kicked off' | NOS] NOS.nl, March 21, 2019</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Country Reports on Terrorism 2021: Netherlands |url=https://2021-2025.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2021/the-netherlands/ |access-date= |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}</ref> At the time of his arrest, Tanis was about to be evicted due to rent arrears, while he also had outstanding fines. He lived alone at the time, but was engaged and had wedding plans.<ref>[https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/4656661/verdachte-gokmen-t-aanslag-utrecht-verloofd-trouwen-schulden Verdachte Gökmen T. had schulden en zou woning kwijtraken] RTL Nieuws, 21 maart 2019</ref>
In Turkish media, it was sometimes reported that Tanis was a supporter of [[Kaplanism]] and by extension the [[Caliphate State]], an Islamist movement designated a terrorist organsiation by Turkey. This was based on a report of the [[National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism|NCTV]], which linked someone in Tanis' environment to Kaplanism.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-16 |title=Erdoğan İslamcı radikalliği tetikliyor |url=https://www.ozgurpolitika.com/haberi-erdogan-islamci-radikalligi-tetikliyor-10408 |access-date= |website=Yeni Özgur Politika |language=tr}}</ref> Said individual was the brother of Tanis, but it was noted that Tanis himself appeared to have no affiliation with the movement, with his drug addiction making it unlikely that he followed the movement's particularly stringent rules.<ref name=":5" />
=== Prior criminal record === Tanis was a known repeat offender, with six arrests between 2012 and 2018, from minor offences such as insulting, driving under the influence, bicycle theft, burglary, and urinating in a police jail cell, to serious crimes like rape and assault with a deadly weapon.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />
In August 2011, Tanis and another man were recorded verbally harassing {{Interlanguage link|Chantal Hanse|lt=|fy}}, then a reporter for ''[[GeenStijl]]'', during a street interview by the [[Oudegracht]]. The video was popularly shared on the Dutch-language video site ''[[Dumpert]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-19 |title=Verdachte Gökmen T. was in 2011 te zien in video GeenStijl |url=https://nos.nl/video/2276631-verdachte-gokmen-t-was-in-2011-te-zien-in-video-geenstijl |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=nos.nl |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=GeenStijl: 030-verdachte Gokmen Tanis is 'Haatdemocraat' uit GeenStijlTV video uit 2011 |url=https://www.geenstijl.nl/5146785/030-verdachte-gokmen-tanis-is-haatdemocraat#/comments |access-date= |website=GeenStijl |language=nl}}</ref>
On 7 December 2013, Tanis was arrested in [[Kanaleneiland]] after firing 10 shots at an apartment building with a [[Beretta 92|9mm Beretta]] while under the influence of alcohol. He was convicted of illegal possession of weapons & sentenced to 150 days in prison, 49 of which were conditional.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/1895769/dronken-gokmen-tanis-loste-in-2013-schoten-met-een-beretta-9mm|title=Dronken Gökmen Tanis loste in 2013 schoten met een Beretta 9mm|website=rtvultrect.nl|access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref>
On 11 July 2017, Tanis raped a woman with whom he was acquainted through their joint cocaine addiction. On the day of the incident, Tanis had gone to her residence while drunk, then briefly left to assault and rob a teenage boy in the neighbourhood. Upon his return 20 minutes later, Tanis was also under the influence of narcotics and proceeded to rape and beat the victim. Tanis was arrested and indicted, claiming to police that the encounter had been consensual.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Koop |first=Peter |date=27 May 2020 |title=Tramschutter Gökmen T. ook schuldig aan verkrachting van vrouw |url=https://www.parool.nl/nederland/tramschutter-gokmen-t-ook-schuldig-aan-verkrachting-van-vrouw~b1f5fb21/?referrer=https://www.google.com/ |access-date= |website=Het Parool}}</ref> Tanis faced trial for the rape two weeks before the tram attack.<ref name="Europol20">{{Cite web|title=European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend report (TE-SAT) 2020|url=https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/main-reports/european-union-terrorism-situation-and-trend-report-te-sat-2020|access-date=2020-06-24|website=Europol|pages=33, 35–36|language=en}}</ref> Two days before the shooting, he was released after a two-week sentence at [[Lelystad]] prison, where he had reportedly been further radicalised and was known for attacking guards with [[Headbutt|headbutts]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2019 |title='Verdachte aanslag Utrecht mishandelde bewaarder in Lelystad' |url=https://www.omroepflevoland.nl/nieuws/169856/verdachte-aanslag-utrecht-mishandelde-bewaarder-in-lelystad |access-date= |website=Omroep Flevoland |language=nl}}</ref> He was due to serve four months in prison for a burglary committed in September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=EenVandaag |date=2019-06-29 |title=Welk motief had Gökmen T. voor de aanslag in Utrecht? Vandaag staat hij voor de rechter |url=https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/artikelen/welk-motief-had-gokmen-t-voor-de-aanslag-in-utrecht-vandaag-staat-hij-voor-de-rechter-119054 |access-date= |website=EenVandaag |language=nl}}</ref>
On 22 March 2019, Tanis confessed to being the sole perpetrator of the shooting.<ref name="NOS murder terrorism charges" /> Another suspect was arrested but then released.<ref name="DW22Mar"/> A letter found in the hijacked car the suspect fled in suggested terrorist motivations;<ref name="AD.nl-19">{{cite web | title=OM: Geen relatie tussen slachtoffers en Gökmen Tanis | website=AD.nl | url=https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/om-geen-relatie-tussen-slachtoffers-en-gokmen-tanis~a11589a5/ | language=nl | date=19 March 2019 | access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> some witnesses claimed they heard the suspect say "[[Takbir|Allahu akbar]]".<ref name="Suspect Takbir">{{cite news |title=OM houdt vanwege briefje ernstig rekening met terrorisme, geen relatie met slachtoffers |url=https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/1895592/om-houdt-vanwege-briefje-ernstig-rekening-met-terrorisme-geen-relatie-met-slachtoffers.html |access-date=23 March 2019 |work=RTV Utrecht |date=19 March 2019 |language=nl}}</ref> The [[Openbaar Ministerie|public prosecutor]] charged the suspect with four counts of murder with a terrorist motive.<ref name="NOS murder terrorism charges">{{cite news |title=Gökmen T. bekent aanslag Utrecht, motief blijft onduidelijk |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2277179-gokmen-t-bekent-aanslag-utrecht-motief-blijft-onduidelijk.html |access-date=22 March 2019 |work=NOS |date=22 March 2019 |language=nl}}</ref>
On 1 July 2019, the contents of the found letter were made public. The letter read: "I am doing this for my religion. You people are killing Muslims and want to take our religion away from us. You will not succeed in that. Allah is great."<ref name="Contents of found letter">{{cite news |title=Inhoud briefje van tramschutter Gökmen T. bekend: 'Ik deed het voor mijn geloof' |url=https://www.gids.tv/video/83266/inhoud-briefje-van-tramschutter-goekmen-t-bekend-ik-deed-het-voor-mijn-geloof |access-date=7 July 2019 |work=Gids.tv |date=1 July 2019 |language=nl |archive-date=6 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706232719/https://www.gids.tv/video/83266/inhoud-briefje-van-tramschutter-goekmen-t-bekend-ik-deed-het-voor-mijn-geloof |url-status=dead }}</ref> (Dutch: ''"Ik doe dit voor mijn geloof. Jullie maken moslims dood en willen jullie ons geloof van ons afpakken, maar gaat niet lukken. Allah is groot."'')<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ozinga |first=Riks |last2=Danvers |first2=Joost |date=2019-07-01 |title=Schutter tramaanslag Utrecht: "Ik wilde laten zien dat jullie niet van diamant zijn" |url=https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/1940363/schutter-tramaanslag-utrecht-ik-wilde-laten-zien-dat-jullie-niet-van-diamant-zijn |access-date= |website=RTV Utrecht |language=nl}}</ref> Additionally, the silencer attached to the handgun used in the killings was inscribed with "texts referring to Islam", apparently emulating the writings on one of the rifles and its magazines used in the [[Christchurch mosque shootings]] three days earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report |url=https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/european_union_terrorism_situation_and_trend_report_te-sat_2020_0.pdf |website=Europol}}</ref> In court, Tanis represented himself after denying his right to a court-appointed legal defence. He stated that he committed the shooting in retaliation for the killing of Muslims abroad, telling the judge "I wanted to show you people that you are not made of diamond and that we are not made of sand" ("''Ik wilde laten zien dat jullie niet van diamant zijn en wij niet van zand.''")<ref name=":1" />
On 20 March 2020, Tanis was sentenced to life in prison.<ref name="life imprisonment" /> He was also convicted of the 2017 rape charge, but due to already getting a life sentence, no additional prison term was added. Instead, Tanis was required to pay the requested compensation of €30,000 to the victim.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Nog eens 7 jaar cel voor tramschutter Gökmen T. die levenslange straf uitzit |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2546153-nog-eens-7-jaar-cel-voor-tramschutter-gokmen-t-die-levenslange-straf-uitzit |access-date= |website=nos.nl |language=nl}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
On 17 February 2021, Tanis attacked two guards while incarcerated at {{Interlanguage link|Penitentiaire Inrichting Rotterdam|lt=De Schie prison|nl}} in [[Rotterdam]]. One guard was stabbed with a [[Shiv (weapon)|home-made stabbing weapon]] in his face and neck. His minor injuries were treated in the hospital. A second guard had a pan of hot oil thrown at him, but was not injured. Tanis also destroyed gym and cooking equipment in the recreational room.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tramschutter Gökmen Tanis steekt gevangenisbewaker in het gezicht|url=https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/tramschutter-gokmen-tanis-steekt-gevangenisbewaker-in-het-gezicht~a2971baf/|accessdate=17 March 2021|work=AD|language=NL}}</ref>
In March 2022, he was stripped of his Dutch citizenship and lost his passport.<ref name="DPG Media Privacy Gate g534">{{cite web | first1=Victor | last1=Schildkamp | title=Dader tramaanslag Gökmen Tanis is zijn Nederlandse paspoort kwijt| website=AD | url=https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/dader-tramaanslag-gokmen-tanis-is-zijn-nederlandse-paspoort-kwijt~a29f3e7c/ | language=nl | date=6 September 2022 | access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref>
In November 2024, Tanis was convicted of attempted murder, attempted severe assault and vandalism after a retrial for his 2021 assault case. No punitive measures had been imposed during a first trial, but an appeal was entered by the public prosecutor's office, arguing that even if a sentence would likely only be symbolic, crimes committed during incarceration by those with life sentences should still be punished. He received an additional 7 years imprisonment, which would be served in case of early release.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-11-13 |title=OM eist in hoger beroep 7 jaar gevangenisstraf voor Gökmen T. voor poging tot moord in PI |url=https://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/11/13/in-hoger-beroep-eist-om-7-jaar-gevangenisstraf-voor-tramschutter-gokmen-t#:~:text=voor%20poging%20tot%20moord%20in%20PI,-Nieuwsbericht%20%7C%2013-11&text=Het%20Openbaar%20Ministerie%20(OM)%20eist,Rotterdam%20in%202021%20en%202022. |access-date= |website=Openbaar Ministerie |language=nl-NL}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
==Aftermath== After the attack, the threat level in the [[province of Utrecht]] was unprecedentedly raised to level 5, the highest level.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |title=Gunman opens fire in Utrecht tram |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47611811 |website=BBC News |access-date=18 March 2019 |date=18 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318104618/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47611811 |archive-date=18 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="NL Times">{{cite web |title=Dutch PM "very concerned" by possible terrorist attack in Utrecht |url=https://nltimes.nl/2019/03/18/dutch-pm-concerned-possible-terrorist-attack-utrecht |website=NL Times |access-date=18 March 2019 |date=18 March 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190318170043/https://nltimes.nl/2019/03/18/dutch-pm-concerned-possible-terrorist-attack-utrecht |archive-date=18 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> After the suspect was caught, it was reduced to Level 4.<ref name="reuters arrest">{{cite news |last1=Meijer |first1=Bart |title=Dutch police arrest Turkish man suspected of killing three in tram shooting |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-shooting/several-hurt-in-dutch-tram-shooting-terrorist-motive-possible-police-idUSKCN1QZ10X |access-date=18 March 2019 |work=Reuters |date=18 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318114415/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-shooting/several-hurt-in-dutch-tram-shooting-terrorist-motive-possible-police-idUSKCN1QZ10X |archive-date=18 March 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Police presence was increased at railway stations, including [[Amsterdam]], [[Rotterdam]], [[The Hague]], and Utrecht, and at the country's airports.<ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/179535/LIVEBLOG-Extra-toezicht-bij-stations-en-moskeeen-in-Rotterdam-na-mogelijke-aanslag-Utrecht|title=Extra toezicht bij stations en moskeeën in Rotterdam na mogelijke aanslag Utrecht |date=18 March 2019|website=rijnmond.nl|language=nl|access-date=18 March 2019}}</ref> Tram services in the city were cancelled.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47611811|title=Gunman opens fire inside Dutch tram|date=18 March 2019|access-date=18 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318120531/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47611811|archive-date=18 March 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1107589016466214912 |user=UOV_info |title=Ten gevolge van een schietpartij ligt het tramverkeer in Utrecht momenteel geheel stil. We weten nog niet hoe lang dit gaat duren. Van/naar Nieuwegein verwijzen we u nu door naar de buslijnen 74 en 77. |date=18 March 2019 |language=nl-NL}}</ref> Elite police forces carrying semi-automatic weapons guarded Jewish community buildings.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liphshiz |first=Cnaan |title=Deadly Utrecht Attack Leads to Heightened Security for Dutch Jews |date=19 March 2019 |url=https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Antisemitism/Deadly-Utrecht-attack-leads-to-heightened-security-for-Dutch-Jews-583870 |newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |agency=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref> Mosques in the city were evacuated, and those elsewhere in the country were given increased security, likely due to the recent [[Christchurch mosque shootings|mosque shootings in New Zealand]].<ref name="NY Times" />
The day after the shooting, all [[Flag of the Netherlands|national flags]] on government buildings in the Netherlands and at Dutch diplomatic posts were flown at [[Half-mast#Netherlands|half-mast]] on request of Prime Minister [[Mark Rutte]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nos.nl/l/2276593|title=Rutte: vlaggen op overheidsgebouwen vandaag halfstok|website=nos.nl|language=nl|access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref> Dutch royal residences flew a black banner, symbolising mourning, alongside the customary [[Dutch royal standard|royal standard]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Vlaggen in regio halfstok als eerbetoon slachtoffers aanslag Utrecht |url=https://www.ad.nl/amersfoort/vlaggen-in-regio-halfstok-als-eerbetoon-slachtoffers-aanslag-utrecht~aff7d866/ |access-date=19 March 2019 |work=AD |agency=ANP |date=19 March 2019 |language=nl}}</ref>
<gallery class="center"> File:Police cars at the cordon near the 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht, March 18, 2019.jpg|Police cars at the cordon near the 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht, 18 March 2019. File:Afzetting van het 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht op 18 maart 2019 na de tramaanslag die dag.jpg|Cordoning of 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht, 18 March 2019 File:Flowers to commemorate the victims of the tram attack on March 18, 2019 at the 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht.jpg|Flowers to commemorate the victims of the tram attack on 18 March 2019 at the 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht File:Local residents bring flowers to commemorate the victims of the tram attack on March 18, 2019 at the 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht.jpg|Local residents bring flowers to commemorate the victims of the tram attack File:Local residents have brought flowers to commemorate the victims of the tram attack on March 18, 2019 at the 24 Oktoberplein, Utrecht.jpg|Local residents have brought flowers to commemorate the victims of the tram attack. City flag of Utrecht File:School children of UniC, Utrecht are allowed to go home after the alert for the tram attack March 18, 2019.jpg|School children of UniC and the International School of Utrecht, Utrecht are allowed to go home after the alert for the tram attack 18 March 2019 afternoon </gallery>
==2023 commemoration== On 18 March 2023 the 2019 shooting was publicly commemorated by a speech by Mayor [[Sharon Dijksma]] near the location of the shooting. Flowers were laid down, and a special poem by city poet Ruben van Gogh was inaugurated. Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], no yearly commemorations were held in previous years. Dutch Minister of Justice and Security [[Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius]] was present at the ceremony. <gallery class="center"> Herdenking Tramaanslag 24 Oktoberplein Utrecht.Toespraak burgemeester Dijksma - 4, 2023.jpg|Speech by Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma Herdenking Tramaanslag 24 Oktoberplein Utrecht. Publiek legt bloemen - 1, 2023.jpg|The public laid down flowers Herdenking Tramaanslag 24 Oktoberplein Utrecht. Boeketten - 3, 2023.jpg|A participant adjusted the flowers Herdenking Tramaanslag 24 Oktoberplein Utrecht. Gedicht van Ruben van Gogh, 2023.jpg|Poem by Ruben van Gogh Herdenking Tramaanslag 24 Oktoberplein Utrecht. Publiek legt bloemen bij een Friese vlag - 2, 2023.jpg|Family and friends attach flowers for a Frisian victim to the tram track fence </gallery>
==See also== * [[Alphen aan den Rijn shopping mall shooting]] (2011) * [[2018 Amsterdam stabbing attack]] * [[2023 Rotterdam shootings]] * [[2025 Amsterdam stabbing attack]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|2019 Utrecht shooting}}
{{Violent deaths in the Netherlands}} {{Islamic terrorism in Europe|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:2019 crimes in the Netherlands]] [[Category:2019 mass shootings in Europe]] [[Category:History of Utrecht (city)]] [[Category:Islamic terrorism in the Netherlands]] [[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2019]] [[Category:March 2019 crimes in Europe]] [[Category:March 2019 in the Netherlands]] [[Category:21st-century mass murders in the Netherlands]] [[Category:Mass shootings in the Netherlands]] [[Category:Terrorist incidents in the Netherlands]] [[Category:Gun violence in Europe]] [[Category:2019 mass murders]]