Fatal Overasselt shootout: 32 suspects remanded into custody, incl. 16 French, 11 Dutch
An examining magistrate ordered 32 suspects from various nationalities and ages to remain jailed as part of the investigation into a fatal shooting at an Overasselt home that left a security guard dead and two police officers injured. The suspects are all facing the same charges of murder or manslaughter in connection with the slaying of 51-year-old Berry Leenders, attempted murder of the two police officers, conspiracy to commit murder or manslaughter, preparation of a kidnapping, and possession of firearms, the Public Prosecution Service confirmed on Friday.
"The group consists of 16 French nationals, 11 Dutch nationals, 2 Algerians, 1 Libyan, 1 Ukrainian, and 1 Belgian," the OM said. All of them are adults between the ages of 18 and 32, except for two French boys, aged 16 and 17.
They are all facing the same charges collectively, and no distinction has yet been made to differentiate between any possible gunmen and those who did not fire a shot, the OM added.
The early morning shooting on Tuesday at the home on Ewijkseweg may have targetted alleged drug trafficker Jan G. Junior after many masked and armed men were scene in the vicinity. Security camera footage appeared to show them approach a car on the driveway, when shots were fired, possibly killing Leenders.
Police officers who responded to the reported shooting found themselves under fire, authorities said. Two police officers struck by gunshots were rescued by colleagues who brought them to safety, provided first aid, and helped get them to an area hospital. They were both initially in critical condition, but are now no longer in danger.
That triggered a massive manhunt in Overasselt, a cornfield between there and Nederasselt, on the highways, and elsewhere. Some 34 people were arrested in total, including three at the Nijmegen rail station. At one point, police said 35 had actually been in custody.
During Friday's review of the case, the examining magistrate released two people from custody as investigators have been unable to connect them to one of several crime scenes. Some of these include the location of the shooting, areas where people assembled, spots used to exchange weaponry, or places tied to getaway attempts.
"This concerns one person who was arrested the day after the incident in Overasselt, and one person who was arrested in Balgoij. They are, however, still considered suspects," the OM stated. The two locations mentioned are a short drive away. "Naturally, the Public Prosecution Service keeps open the possibility that new investigatory results may lead to new insights regarding one or both of these suspects."
Several media outlets reported on a video that appeared online online this week depicting masked, armed men accusing Jan G. Junior of stealing nearly 1,900 kilograms of cocaine. In the video, they threatened to kill every one of his loved ones if he does not return the stolen drugs.
Others in the area have also received threats related to Jan G. Junior and his father, Jan G., according to anonymous sources who spoke to Omroep Gelderland. The family has many relatives in the region, but distanced themselves from G. Junior after he became involved in the criminal underworld, and also from his father.
"The family used to be well-regarded here, but things became uncomfortable, particularly after Jan Junior went down the wrong path."
The 32 suspects who remain jailed are being held in restricted custody, and are only allowed contact with their attorney. This period of detention can only extend up to 14 days before the suspects must be brought in front of a district court for an arraignment. Judges can then order the suspects to remain in custody for up to 90 days at a time.
The victim, Leenders, was from the municipality of Wijchen, which also includes the village of Balgoij. Overasselt is part of the neighboring municipality of Heumen. Both Wijchen and Heumen are within Gelderland.
On Thursday, Heunen Mayor Joeri Minses ordered G.’s home closed for the next year, and issued a restraining order against G. Junior and G. that prohibits them from entering the village for about two weeks. He stopped short of permanently closing the residential property, saying that is outside of his scope as mayor.
"I understand people’s desire to have a permanent solution, but I cannot facilitate that. I am not saying I find that satisfactory. You have to aim for the maximum possible outcome, and right now, that is a one-year closure,” he said during a press conference.