Dutch prison official Marcel Blijd shot dead on Amsterdam terrace

Afternoon shooting on the NDSM waterfront

Around 15:00 on Friday, 25 September 2026, a fatal shooting occurred on the outdoor terrace of De Baanderij along the NDSM-kade in Amsterdam-Noord. The Amsterdam police received the initial emergency notification at 15:05. The waterfront area was crowded with visitors taking advantage of the warm, sunny weather. According to witnesses at neighbouring tables, an altercation began when an individual walking an unleashed dog passed the terrace. The dog was barking loudly, which prompted a seated patron to tell the owner to leash the animal. The dog walker paced back and forth several times near the perimeter. Witnesses reported expecting physical blows to be exchanged before the man walked directly onto the terrace and fired multiple gunshots, striking the victim in the head.

Victim identified as senior prison official

Multiple police patrol units, ambulances, and a trauma helicopter arrived at the NDSM-kade to administer emergency resuscitation, but the victim died of his wounds at the scene. The Dutch prison service, Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen, confirmed that the deceased was a staff member at Justitieel Complex Zaanstad, a correctional facility located north of Amsterdam. Sources identified the victim as Marcel Blijd, a department head at the Zaanstad complex who had worked as a prison guard and manager for decades, including previous service at the Bijlmerbajes. Blijd had also appeared in Dutch media outlets over the course of his career. Police stated that investigators have not established whether the shooting relates to his correctional duties. In March 2026, police had searched staff vehicles at the Zaanstad prison after receiving a tip regarding potential explosives, though no devices were found.

Suspect apprehension and weapon recovery

Police officers arrested a male suspect on the quay shortly after the gunfire. Witness video circulated online showed armed officers detaining a man wearing red trousers and a white shirt along the waterfront. Witnesses reported that the shooter threw his handgun into the adjacent IJ waterway immediately following the attack. Police divers subsequently searched the water and recovered a firearm. Law enforcement officials stated they are not searching for additional suspects. According to sources cited by Het Parool, the suspect is known by the nickname Soma, resides in the neighbouring Tuindorp-Oostzaan district of Amsterdam-Noord, and was previously incarcerated at the Zaanstad prison where Blijd worked.

Ferry diversions and witness support measures

The shooting occurred adjacent to the primary ferry terminal connecting the NDSM wharf with Amsterdam Centraal and Pontsteiger. Municipal transport operator GVB temporarily redirected all ferry arrivals to Distelweg while emergency services cordoned off the crime scene. Around 18:30, GVB announced that two of the three ferry docking points at NDSM-kade had reopened, while the reopening timeline for the third berth remained undetermined. Because the sunny afternoon drew large crowds, police used a chartered bus to transport witnesses to a police station for debriefing. Municipal enforcement officers distributed stuffed animals to children who saw the shooting, and authorities referred bystanders to the national Victim Support agency.