A 15-year-old boy was fatally shot by Dutch police outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Capelle aan den IJssel on Sunday afternoon following an armed robbery of a fatbike, sparking widespread shock in the Zuid-Holland community where dozens of families witnessed the incident.
The teenager, identified only as Jerryson from Gouda, was shot dead after allegedly threatening a fatbike owner with a firearm on Wisselspoor at approximately 4:15 p.m., before fleeing to the nearby McDonald’s on Hoofdweg. The shooting occurred in front of numerous customers, including young children enjoying Sunday afternoon meals with their families.
According to police spokesperson at the scene, officers warned the suspect “many times” before opening fire, stating: “We told him: ‘You’re under arrest, we are the police. Stay where you are, drop the weapon.’ Ultimately, he didn’t listen, he started running, and we shot.” Video footage circulating on social media appears to show an officer firing at least four shots at close range on the restaurant’s terrace.
Emergency services, including a trauma helicopter, rushed to the scene in desperate attempts to save the teenager’s life. Witnesses described harrowing scenes, with two young people telling French outlet Le Parisien: “We saw blood everywhere. The police tried to apply pressure to the wounds, but he didn’t survive.”
The Rijksrecherche, the department responsible for internal police investigations, immediately launched an inquiry into the shooting, as is standard procedure when Dutch police officers deploy weapons resulting in fatalities. The investigation will determine whether proper protocols were followed and if the use of lethal force was justified.
Mayor Joost Manusama of Capelle aan den IJssel expressed profound sorrow over the incident, stating: “Of course, there were many guests present at the time, including many young children. It was Sunday, so there were many families. Everyone is deeply shocked: the witnesses and relatives, but also the police officers involved.
The teenager’s background adds another tragic dimension to the story. Dutch media reports indicate Jerryson had been placed with a foster mother from Curaçao in the Korte Akkeren neighbourhood of Gouda. The woman, aged 59, is reportedly known locally as “Mother Teresa” for her extensive work helping disadvantaged youth in her community.
Police subsequently arrested two additional 15-year-old boys in connection with the robbery – one from Rotterdam and another from Gouda. Authorities have not confirmed whether these suspects were also armed during the incident.
The Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) confirmed that a firearm was recovered at the scene, though officials stated that further investigation would be required to determine whether it was genuine or a replica weapon. The prosecutor’s office emphasised: “The police and the OM understand that the event raises many questions about what exactly happened. To get those answers, careful investigation is needed.”
According to police protocol expert Jan-Willem Timmer, officers appeared to have followed official instructions, noting: “An armed robbery is such a serious crime. Moreover, the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.” The police utilised what is known as BTGP – a special approach technique for dangerous suspects (benaderingstechniek gevaarlijke verdachte) – when confronting the teenager.
The incident has particular resonance given the rarity of fatal police shootings in the Netherlands. According to NOS reporting based on police figures, it is extremely uncommon for Dutch police to fatally shoot suspects. Last year, only one person was killed in a police standoff in the entire country, according to official statistics. Police drew their weapons 1,700 times throughout 2024 but fired targeted shots just 13 times.
The McDonald’s branch remained closed as investigators processed the scene, with company spokesperson confirming that staff and customers who witnessed the shooting had been offered psychological support services. A staff meeting was scheduled for Monday to address the traumatic incident.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the teenager jumped a fence whilst being pursued by police before shots were fired on the fast food restaurant’s terrace, where the incident unfolded in full view of diners. The proximity to families and children has intensified community trauma surrounding the shooting.
Mayor Manusama confirmed he was in contact with his counterpart in Gouda, stating: “He’s also very shocked, and the impact there is significant.” Victim support services have been made available to all witnesses, with the mayor urging anyone affected to seek help.
The shooting raises difficult questions about police use of force, particularly against minors. Legal experts noted that whilst the suspect’s age was tragic, police protocol expert Timmer explained: “The police did not know they were dealing with a child” at the time of the confrontation.
The Rijksrecherche investigation will examine whether the police response was proportionate and lawful, with findings to be submitted to the Public Prosecution Service, which will ultimately decide whether any criminal charges should be filed against the officers involved.
The broader context of youth crime in the Netherlands adds complexity to the tragedy. The involvement of three 15-year-olds in an armed robbery highlights growing concerns about young people’s access to weapons and involvement in serious criminal activities.
Mayor Manusama urged patience whilst investigations proceed, stating: “Despite all the questions and emotions the incident has raised,” he asked residents to “refrain from speculation, and to await the results of the investigation” before drawing conclusions.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of relatively low violent crime rates in the Netherlands compared to other nations. The country’s approach to policing typically emphasises de-escalation and minimal use of force, making Sunday’s shooting all the more shocking for local residents.
Fatbikes – electric bicycles with oversized tyres – have become increasingly popular in the Netherlands but have also become targets for theft due to their high value, often costing several thousand euros. The robbery that precipitated Sunday’s tragic events appears to have been one such targeted theft.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about how a robbery escalated to a fatal shooting in broad daylight at a family restaurant. The presence of a weapon, whether real or replica, clearly influenced police response, but the death of a 15-year-old has left a community grappling with grief and searching for answers.
The National Criminal Investigation Department’s takeover of the case signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident. Their findings will be crucial in determining whether protocols were followed and if lessons can be learned to prevent similar tragedies.
For now, Capelle aan den IJssel remains in mourning for a young life lost, whilst also supporting the many children and families traumatised by witnessing the violent incident. The investigation’s outcome will be closely watched as the Netherlands continues to grapple with balancing public safety and appropriate use of police force.
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