Overasselt Shooting: Police Search Continues, Memorial Cancelled as Dutch Drug Feud Intensifies

More than a week after a brazen gang attack in the small Gelderse village of Overasselt left a security guard dead and two police officers injured, police say they will continue searching the area for evidence and possible additional suspects. Meanwhile, a planned memorial for the victim — 51-year-old Berry Leenders from Wijchen — was cancelled on Sunday due to “safety reasons,” a stark reminder that the threat from the criminal underworld has not passed.

What happened, and what’s new

The attack unfolded around 4 a.m. on September 1. According to police, two vans carrying dozens of masked men arrived at a farmhouse on the Ewijkseweg. The home is linked to alleged drug trafficker Jan G. Junior, whose family has been the target of a long-running conflict. Surveillance footage shows the group opening fire on a car parked outside, killing Berry Leenders, who had been hired as a security guard. When police responded, the group shot at them as well, wounding two officers — one of them critically, though both are now out of danger (NL Times).

In total, 34 suspects have been arrested, coming from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Algeria. Thirty-two of them were arraigned on Friday and remain in custody under “restriction” (beperkingen), meaning they may only speak with their lawyers (NL Times).

Police search and weapons recovery

As of Sunday, September 6, police teams are still combing the area around Overasselt and the nearby town of Wijchen. Metal detectors have turned up at least one bullet, and several firearms have been recovered, including a bag found in Wijchen. However, authorities cannot yet confirm whether those weapons were used in the attack (NL Times).

Police have not issued a new shelter-in-place order — the one imposed on September 1 was lifted later that day after they determined no suspects were hiding in the village. Still, they urge residents to call 112 immediately if they see anything suspicious (NOS).

Memorial cancelled over safety fears

A memorial service for Berry Leenders, organised by the Nijmegen student association Carlous Magnus where he worked as a security guard, was scheduled for Sunday afternoon. But early Sunday morning, the association announced it was cancelled due to “safety considerations.” A spokesperson told RTL that the decision was “well considered,” though police said they did not advise the cancellation and that it was the group’s own choice. The police spokesperson noted that for a large gathering, “adequate security” was necessary, implying the organisers could not guarantee that (NL Times).

What does this mean for residents and expats?

The violence in Overasselt is part of a broader pattern of Dutch drug-related conflicts that have spilled over into public spaces. A similar attack on the same farmhouse last year — when it was shot at a dozen times — resulted in two convictions. This time, the scale was unprecedented: dozens of masked men with heavy weapons, targeting a home in a quiet village.

For internationals living in the Netherlands, especially those in smaller towns or near known drug hotspots (like parts of Limburg, Brabant, or Gelderland), the incident is a reminder that organised crime does not respect borders — several of the arrested suspects are foreign nationals. The gemeente (municipality) of Heumen has stepped up patrols, but the police investigation is ongoing.

If you live in or near Overasselt, the immediate advice remains: stay alert, report suspicious activity, and do not approach unknown individuals or vehicles. The police have not indicated any ongoing threat to the general public, but the cancellation of the memorial shows that the risk of further violence is real.

Broader context: the Dutch drug war

Anonymous sources told Omroep Gelderland that Jan G. Junior and his father, Jan G. Senior, have been receiving threats for some time. The family’s relatives in Overasselt have largely distanced themselves. International media have linked the incident to the criminal empire of Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos,” one of the Netherlands’ most wanted drug lords (Al Jazeera). The Dutch police and the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) are still piecing together the exact chain of command.

For expats, the takeaway is that while the Netherlands generally feels safe, the underbelly of international cocaine trafficking occasionally erupts into daylight. The polder model of consensus and negotiation does not apply when automatic weapons are involved. Knowing your local police station’s contact details and keeping an eye on regional news (Omroep Gelderland, for instance) can help you stay informed.

What next?

The 34 suspects will face charges in the coming weeks. Police continue to search for additional evidence and possible accomplices. The two injured officers are recovering. And the community of Overasselt mourns a security guard who was simply doing his job.