Netherlands: At least 3 dead in Utrecht shooting, suspected gunman's photo released

Mar 18 (AZINS) At least 3 people were killed and 9 others injured after an armed man opened fire on commuters traveling a tram dutch city Utrecht in the Netherlands. Soon after the attack, police, anti-terror squad and other concerned teams were dispatched to the shooting site.

As per local reports, the shooting took place around 10:45 am. The Utrecht police have now released a photo of the suspected gunman who opened fire targeting people in a tram. The Utrecht police took to Twitter and asked its citizens to look out for the 37-year-old Gökmen Tanis (born in Turkey) associated with the incident this morning at the 24oktoberplein in Utrecht.

The police added not to approach the man but to call on this number — 0800-6070.

Previously, soon after the attack, the Utrecht police had confirmed "the shooting occurred on 24 Oktoberplein in Utrecht. The fire shots were reported at 10.45 am. Multiple people have been injured. The surrounding area has been cordoned off and we are investigating the matter." A possible terrorist motif is part of the investigation, Utrecht police added.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he was "deeply concerned" and that crisis talks were to be held in response to the incident. Dutch radio said security had been increased at the seat of the government in The Hague.

A police official Joost Lanshage while speaking about the shooting incident said, "Several shots were fired in a tram and several people were injured. Helicopters are at the scene and no arrests have been made."

Meanwhile, Dutch authorities have raised the terrorism threat level to the highest possible in the province of Utrecht. The National anti-terrorism coordinator said it had raised alert level as the suspected shooter was still at large.

Security was increased at schools, mosques and transportation hubs after the shooting, which Dutch police believe has left one person dead and several more injured.