A British man has been praised for subduing a suspected knifeman after a stabbing spree in central Amsterdam left five people injured near Dam Square on Thursday.
Brave Intervention and Arrest
Footage shows the Briton, dressed in jeans and a black hoodie, pinning the suspect to the ground and twisting his arm until police arrived. Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema commended his “exceptional” instinct and later awarded him a bravery honor at her official residence.
Describing him as a “very modest British man”, Halsema stated he wished to remain anonymous and that his only concern was the victims.
A police spokeswoman called his citizen’s arrest “heroic”, emphasizing the split-second decision required to take action. She added, “It’s incredibly brave when people step up, but safety must also be considered.”
Attack Details and Suspect’s Arrest
Authorities responded to the attack just before 15:30 local time (14:30 GMT), discovering victims at multiple locations around Sint Nicolaasstraat.
The suspect, a 30-year-old Ukrainian man, was arrested and taken to hospital with a leg injury.
The five victims include:
- A 67-year-old woman and 69-year-old man from the US
- A 26-year-old Polish man
- A 73-year-old Belgian woman
- A 19-year-old Dutch woman
Motive Under Investigation
Police are still investigating the suspect’s motive, exploring whether the victims were chosen at random.
Despite the shocking incident, the actions of the brave British tourist have been widely praised, with officials acknowledging his quick thinking and courage.