Security Guard Shot Dead in Overasselt: What Expats Need to Know About the Case and the Municipality's Response

The fatal shooting of security guard Berry Leenders (51) in Overasselt has shaken the small Gelderland village — and raised questions about how the Netherlands handles security at the homes of convicted drug criminals. For internationals living in the Netherlands, the case offers a glimpse into the powers of local mayors, the risks of working in private security, and the speed of police investigations.

What happened?

In the night of August 31 to September 1, 2026, Leenders was guarding the home of Jan G., a man previously convicted for drug crimes, when he was shot and killed. Friends told Nieuwsuur that Leenders had been warned the job was dangerous — the house had been shot at before. A decoy car with a mannequin had been used as a deterrent, but Jan G. had recently rehired Leenders for night shifts so he could care for his sick mother during the day (Source: NOS).

Municipality steps in

On September 3, the mayor of Heumen (the municipality that includes Overasselt) ordered the house closed for one year and banned one resident from the municipality for two weeks. The gemeente (local municipality) did not specify which resident, but the measure is based on the mayor's authority to close premises linked to serious crime or public disorder (Source: NOS). For expats: this is a standard Dutch legal tool — a sluiting (closure) under the Gemeentewet (Municipalities Act) or the Opiumwet (Drugs Act), often used to disrupt criminal operations.

Arrests: 33 suspects and counting

Police have arrested 33 people in total. The latest arrest, on September 5 in Amsterdam, is a 26-year-old Belgian man. Earlier, 32 others were detained: 16 French, 11 Dutch, 2 Algerians, 1 Libyan, 1 Ukrainian, and 1 Belgian. Two French suspects are minors (16 and 17). They are suspected of murder or manslaughter (Source: NOS). The investigation is ongoing, and the Belgian suspect is in beperkingen (restricted access to lawyers and press), meaning police are limiting information to avoid compromising the probe.

What this means for internationals

First, the case shows that drug-related violence can spill into quiet residential areas. If you live near a gemeente that uses bestuurlijke handhaving (administrative enforcement), you may see closures or bans without criminal charges — the mayor acts independently of the courts. Second, the security industry is a common side job for people with flexible hours, but this tragedy highlights the real risks. The UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) referred Leenders into security work after a horse-riding accident left him partially disabled. His friend Elma described him as “a golden-honest, loving person” who worked nights to care for his mother (Source: NOS).

Cancelled memorial

A memorial service planned by the Nijmegen student society Carolus Magnus, where Leenders also worked as a guard, was cancelled due to insufficient security for the expected crowd — not because of police objections. The society said it would issue a statement later (Source: NOS).

For expats: if you work in private security, know your rights and the risks. And if you live near a property that has been closed by the mayor, understand that it’s a temporary measure aimed at disrupting criminal networks — not a reflection on the neighbourhood’s safety. The investigation continues, and more arrests are likely.