A man was stabbed on the terrace of café ‘t Uchterhoes in Stokkem, Limburg, on Tuesday evening. The 71-year-old man was celebrating his birthday with some friends when an argument arose with a passer-by. The suspect behaved in a pushy manner, after which he was asked to go home. The man returned a moment later with a knife and lashed out. “He is known to the police and has caused a nuisance before,” witnesses said.
Regional journalist at HLN
That evening, the 71-year-old victim had a meeting with the association to which he is affiliated and afterwards had a drink for his birthday on the terrace. The atmosphere was good, there was not a problem in the air. “But suddenly someone walked onto the terrace, sat at their table and behaved strangely,” says a witness. “No one knew him, he acted strange and made some strange comments.”
Lots of blood lost
After a while the man was kindly asked to leave the table. Some things were said back and forth and eventually the man was asked to go home.
But the 31-year-old soon returned. He had a knife and used it to stab the 71-year-old twice. The man was hit in the neck and abdomen and lost a lot of blood.
“The café owner and several bystanders were able to overpower the suspect, after which the police and ambulance were immediately notified.” The man was arrested and is currently in a police cell. He will be brought before the investigating judge later today.
No danger to life
The victim is a well-known person in Stokkem who is very active socially. Our information shows that his life is not in danger and that he has already undergone one operation.
The suspect is said to live nearby, a few hundred meters from the café. He is said to be known to the police and to the surrounding catering establishments, where he often causes nuisance.
“We are very shocked by this terrible news,” says mayor Sofie Vandeweerd (Anders). “I gathered from the circumstances that this was abhorrent senseless violence. I hope everything turns out well with Hugo.”