Ceremony marks five years since Utrecht’s deadly tram shooting

 It was five years to the day since Gökmen Tanis shot four people dead and injured six others while on a tram at the 24 Oktoberplein in Utrecht.

The anniversary was marked by a minute’s silence and a short ceremony attended by mayor Sharon Dijksma, The Hague’s mayor Jan van Zanen, who was in charge in Utrecht at the time, and justice minister Dilan Yesilgöz, as well as relatives of the victims, eyewitnesses and city officials. 

The gathering took place at the location of the attack, where the city has established a memorial to those who died. There has been a ceremony on the spot every year since, but from now on, they will be held every five years. 

Lisa, now 31, who was on the tram when Tanis opened fire, told NOS radio that she only survived because the weapon jammed. “I first thought it was a joke,” she said. “Then I realized ‘this is very wrong’.”

As she tried to leave the tram, the shooter came towards her. “Me and two others lay on the ground. And as I lay there I thought ‘This is it’.” Lisa, who has undergone therapy to help her deal with the shooting, said her life has been on hold and she is relieved the will not be another ceremony until 2029. “I am happy to be able to close this chapter,” she said.

Tanis was arrested after a two-hour manhunt in Utrecht and sentenced to life in prison for the killings, which the court said had terrorist intent.

The public prosecution office said Tanis, who it acknowledged has a personality disorder and limited mental capacity, was nevertheless able to plan his deeds and should therefore be handed the maximum penalty.