The risks surrounding the firearms license of Richard K., who is suspected of double murder in Weiteveen, were already known to the police last year. The family of the murdered woman has expressed their concerns several times.
In early October 2023, the murdered woman informed a close acquaintance that she had filed a report against K. because of death threats. The police, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the municipality of Emmen are investigating what happened to the reports and reports received.
The man was arrested shortly after the double murder. According to the Public Prosecution Service, there was excessive force and multiple weapons were used. The suspect is in possession of a firearms permit. The Public Prosecution Service is investigating which weapons he may have had and whether they were used.
According to the newspaper, various sources report that ‘certainly not all’ the weapons that K. allegedly brought and used last week were in accordance with his firearms permit. An internal police investigation should clarify whether the man’s firearms license should have been revoked.
Today it was announced that the first public hearing in the case is scheduled for April 17 in the court in Assen. Prior to that hearing, a chamber of the court in Groningen will decide on January 31 whether the suspect’s pre-trial detention should be extended. He is also being examined at the Pieter Baan Center.