The soldier who died last weekend in a shooting in the American city of Indianapolis is 26-year-old Simmie Poetsema. The corporal of the 1st class, commander at the barracks in Roosendaal, was seriously injured by the bullets that were fired and died later in the night.
Two other commandos were also injured in the shooting. Shamar Duncan, 22, has been arrested as a suspect.
The body of Poetsema and the two other victims will be brought to the Netherlands this week.
Someone who mainly wanted to help others
The commando was known to his corps as someone who mainly wanted to help others. For example, he did his unit great service when he was sent to Kabul, Afghan, for the evacuation order last year.
While the chaos around the airport was mounting, it was Poetsema, among others, who inventively created a new access road to the airport. This enabled the commandos to evacuate hundreds of Dutch citizens and Afghans.
Minute of silence at the green berets
At the home base of the commandos in Roosendaal, the green berets reflected extensively on the loss of their size. A minute of silence was also observed. A quiet area has also been set up. It has been used a lot in recent days.
There was allegedly a brawl in a bar prior to the shooting. The mayor of the American city announced this earlier, local media reported.
‘Quarrel in a bar’
According to Mayor Joe Hogsett, the police have “a good idea” of what happened. “As I understand it, there was an argument in a bar, after which the Dutch soldiers went back to their hotel. I don’t know exactly what they were doing outside together, but I was told that they were shot at from a passing vehicle and that as a result, three casualties.”
The Dutch commandos are on exercise in the state of Indiana. More Dutch commandos stayed in the hotel where the shooting took place.
Local police are investigating the shooting. In addition, three detectives from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee traveled to Indianapolis to gather information themselves.
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