Overasselt shooting: 35 arrested, weapons found near school as drug violence spills into Gelderland village

A security guard is dead, two police officers are injured, and 35 people have been arrested after a brazen early-morning attack on a property in the quiet Gelderland village of Overasselt on September 1. The violence, which investigators believe is linked to a drug dispute involving a convicted local criminal, has left the community shaken and raised questions about the reach of organised crime in the Netherlands.

For internationals living in the Netherlands, the incident is a stark reminder that drug-related violence — while still rare — can erupt even in small villages. Here’s what we know and what it means for residents.

What happened

Just before 5 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, a large group of heavily armed men arrived at a property on Ewijkseweg in Overasselt. Shots were fired. Security guard Berry Leenders, 51, was killed at the scene. Two police officers who responded were injured, one of them seriously. Emergency services dispatched multiple ambulances, trauma helicopters, and the police’s Special Intervention Service (DSI), an elite unit for high-risk situations (NL Times, Sept 1).

Within days, police arrested 35 suspects. As of September 6, 32 remain in pre-trial detention (known as bewaring). Among those held are two French teenagers (16 and 17), 14 French adults, 11 Dutch adults, and individuals from Belgium, Libya, Ukraine, and Algeria. Two suspects were released but remain under investigation (NL Times, Sept 6).

Drug link and targeted victim

The property attacked belongs to Jan G. Jr., a convicted drug criminal. A video circulated on WhatsApp shows masked men with assault rifles accusing him of stealing nearly 1,900 kilograms of cocaine belonging to a “Belgian friend.” They threatened to kill his family if the drugs were not returned. Local media reported that other residents in the area have also received threats linked to Jan G. Jr. and his father, Jan G., who are said to have many relatives in Overasselt (NL Times, Sept 6).

The Public Prosecution Service (OM — Openbaar Ministerie) has not yet determined who fired the fatal shots, but all 32 detained suspects face the same charges related to the attack.

Weapons found near primary school

On September 9, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (the military police, often deployed for sensitive searches) discovered several well-hidden firearms near De Zilverberg primary school — less than a metre from the schoolyard fence. The school was temporarily locked down, and parents were called to pick up their children. Forensic teams secured the weapons for DNA analysis. The OM has not disclosed the exact number or type of firearms to protect the ongoing investigation (NL Times, Sept 9).

What this means for internationals

For expats and internationals in the Netherlands, this case underscores several things:

• Drug violence can occur anywhere. Overasselt is a village of about 2,000 people in Gelderland, far from the big-city drug scenes of Rotterdam or Amsterdam. The presence of a convicted drug trafficker in a small community shows that organised crime networks operate across the country.
• Police response is swift and thorough. The DSI, Marechaussee, and local police coordinated a massive operation. The OM has been transparent about arrests and charges. If you ever witness suspicious activity, you can report it to the police via 112 (emergency) or 0900-8844 (non-emergency).
• Schools have safety protocols. The quick lockdown of De Zilverberg primary school shows that Dutch schools are prepared for such incidents. Parents were notified immediately. International parents should ensure their child’s school has up-to-date contact information.
• Your residence permit is not affected. This is a criminal matter, not an immigration one. However, if you are ever a victim of crime, you can contact the Slachtofferhulp Nederland (Victim Support Netherlands) for assistance.

The investigation continues. More arrests are possible, and the OM has not ruled out further discoveries of hidden weapons. For now, Overasselt is slowly returning to normal, but the scars of that September morning will take time to heal.