Dutch police kill armed teenager after stealing a fat bike
Dutch police shot and killed a 15-year-old boy in the city of Capelle aan den IJssel in South Holland on Sunday, following a report of a bicycle theft that ended in a dramatic confrontation near a McDonald's restaurant. The incident occurred in broad daylight and was witnessed by dozens of passersby, including small children.
The police said they received a report around 4:15 PM after witnesses reported that the boy threatened with a firearm. When the patrols arrived at the scene, the boy had left, but he was soon spotted near a McDonald's branch. When ordered to stop, he fled, prompting officers to shoot at him.
Footage reviewed by RTL Nieuws showed one of the officers firing at least four shots from close range at the restaurant terrace. According to the channel, the boy was armed, and forensic experts are examining the weapon. The Dutch national police have opened an official investigation, which is a standard procedure when deadly force is used.
Authorities confirmed that two other teenagers were involved in the robbery. One was arrested at the scene, while the other later turned himself in to the police. A McDonald's employee who witnessed the confrontation said she saw one of the boys pull a gun just half a meter away from her, describing the moment as terrifying.
The mayor of the Kabila region, Ann den Aisle, Joost Manasuma, called for calm, emphasizing that the presence of a large number of children among the witnesses made the situation more brutal. He said, "This makes the impact much worse."