11-Year-Old Girl Stabbed to Death, 29-Year-Old Arrested in Nieuwegein

On February 1, 2025, an 11-year-old girl was fatally stabbed on Anemoonstraat in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, prompting the immediate arrest of a 29-year-old man nearby. Emergency services, including a trauma helicopter, rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, the girl was pronounced dead from her injuries shortly thereafter. The police have not disclosed any information regarding the relationship between the victim and the suspect, nor the motive for the attack, which is under investigation. Local authorities established support services for residents deeply affected by the tragedy, with the mayor describing it as a 'horrible' incident and a 'nightmare for everyone.' Eyewitness reports indicated that the girl was on her way to visit a friend at the time of the stabbing, and community members expressed shock and grief over the violence that struck their neighborhood. The suspect, reportedly from Syria, has been previously reported to authorities, raising questions about his background and any potential prior incidents.