Dutch prosecutors say past prison grievance prompted fatal shooting of guard on Amsterdam terrace
Investigators confirmed that 37-year-old Amin D. targeted 61-year-old prison officer Marcel over a past dispute from Justitieel Complex Zaanstad before shooting him on a packed NDSM-kade terrace.
The shooting at NDSM-kade
On the afternoon of Friday, 25 September 2026, 61-year-old prison officer Marcel was sitting on an outdoor terrace at NDSM-kade in Amsterdam-Noord. The waterfront area, located near the ferry docking point, was crowded with patrons enjoying sunny weather. Witnesses observed 37-year-old Amin D. walking past the terrace with his dog before engaging in a confrontational exchange with Marcel. Following the argument, D. walked away from the terrace, returned shortly afterward, and fired multiple shots directly at the officer.
The sudden gunfire caused panic across the waterfront venue, where dozens of bystanders, including children, witnessed the killing. After discharging his weapon, D. shouted across the NDSM premises, threw the firearm into the water, and leashed his dog. Police units deployed to the area and arrested D. nearby shortly after the attack. Victim support services were subsequently arranged for the numerous witnesses present at the scene.
- Marcel is fatally shot on an NDSM-kade terrace; police arrest suspect Amin D. nearby.
- Amsterdam District Court remands Amin D. in custody for two weeks on suspicion of murder.
- Prosecutors lift communication restrictions and disclose the past prison connection between the suspect and victim.
- The pre-trial council chamber evaluates whether to extend the suspect's detention.
Motive and prior prison history
Investigators quickly determined that the attack was not a random act of violence. On Wednesday, 30 September 2026, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) disclosed initial findings after lifting communication restrictions on the suspect. The prosecution established that D. had previously been incarcerated at Justitieel Complex Zaanstad, where Marcel had worked as a correctional officer during D.'s sentence.
The prosecution outlined the connection in an official statement regarding the preliminary findings.
The investigation so far has established that the suspect knew the victim from Penitentiaire Inrichting Zaanstad, where the victim worked when the suspect was detained there several years ago.
Before opening fire, D. had confronted Marcel regarding an incident from their shared past at the facility. Video footage recorded immediately after the shooting showed D. shouting about conditions inside the prison system, claiming he was denied medication and calling officials unconscionable scoundrels. D., a resident of the nearby Tuindorp-Oostzaan neighbourhood, had a record of violent offenses, including convictions for attempted murder and serious assault, and had previously served time at both the Bijlmerbajes and Justitieel Complex Zaanstad.
Institutional response and legal proceedings
Marcel was a veteran correctional officer with decades of service across the Dutch prison system. Throughout his career at the Bijlmerbajes in Amsterdam and later at Justitieel Complex Zaanstad, he worked primarily within specialised units housing Amsterdam's Top 600 group of persistent young offenders. The Custodial Institutions Agency (Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen) acknowledged the impact of the death on his colleagues and inmates across the Zaanstad facility.
The agency issued a statement addressing the loss of the veteran officer.
The loss of a colleague in such a profound manner affects us deeply as an organisation.
On Monday, 28 September 2026, the Amsterdam District Court ordered D. held for two weeks on suspicion of murder. The suspect remained under full restrictions until 30 September, allowing him contact only with his legal counsel. He is scheduled to appear before the pre-trial chamber (raadkamer) on 5 October 2026, where judges will evaluate whether to extend his pre-trial detention.
