The police are still investigating the motive behind the attack, considering the possibility that the suspect randomly chose his victims. The police received multiple reports of the incident around 3:30 pm local time and officers arrived to find the five injured people scattered around the Sint Nicolaasstraat area, near the city center.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema confirmed that a police investigation is "in full swing," and officials hope to gather more information soon. "Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and loved ones," she said, according to BBC News.
The victims include a 67-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man from the US, a 26-year-old Polish man, a 73-year-old Belgian woman, and a 19-year-old woman from Amsterdam. Emergency responders quickly took action, and with help from bystanders, they apprehended the suspect shortly after the attack.
The police sectioned off a large area around the Royal Palace, a popular tourist destination, where an emergency helicopter landed to assist in the response. Witnesses described a scene of panic after hearing an "icy scream" followed by shouting and people running.
One witness reported approaching a young woman and seeing a knife "sticking out from the girl's back, between her shoulders." Authorities are asking anyone with images of the incident to share them as evidence.
