The man shot dead in a park on the edge of Amsterdam on Saturday afternoon had intervened when a group of youths tried to steal his friend’s watch, the Telegraaf said on Sunday.

The paper bases its claim on eyewitnesses but the police have not confirmed the story, saying it will take more time to establish exactly what happened.

The victim, named as 24-year-old Bas van Wijk from Badhoevedorp, was with friends at the De Oeverlanden park when the shooting took place. The park was crowded with friends and families seeking water and shade because of the heatwave, and several children witnessed the incident.

An acquaintance of the victim told the Telegraaf that a group of men had tried to take the Rolex watch belonging to one of his friends when he was shot. ‘He was slaughtered, with multiple bullets,’ he said. ‘All for a bloody watch.’

The police have appealed for anyone who took photos and films at the beach at around 4.25 on Saturday to come forward.

Van Wijk was taken to hospital after the shooting but died later from his injuries.