Suspect accused of murder in Dutch commando killing (update)
Shamar Duncan, a 22-year-old man, has been accused of fatally shooting a Dutch commando in Indianapolis on Saturday and attempting to murder two others, reports NOS.
Soldier Simmie Poetsema, 26, died from a single gunshot to the back of his head outside the Hampton Inn hotel. Two other Dutch soldiers were also injured during the incident.
The Dutch soldiers, members of the Commando Corps, were in Indiana for urban warfare training. The Dutch defense ministry says they were shot in front of their hotel while off duty.
New details
The accused, who is in custody, was alleged to be ‘looking for trouble’ in police documents seen by local newspaper the Indianapolis Star.
The Dutch soldiers reportedly told investigators they were walking back to the hotel from a club downtown when they came across Duncan and two other men.
Duncan’s group is alleged to have ‘intentionally’ bumped into the soldiers as they walked past. Witnesses reportedly claimed that Poetsema and other soldiers tried to diffuse the situation before a deadly fight lasting between 30 seconds and a few minutes.
IMPD escort leads the hearse carrying the body of Dutch soldier Simmie Poetsema in processional from Crown Hill Funeral Home, now returning home to the Netherlands. pic.twitter.com/ruJMZNVJTk
— Rich Nye (@RichNye13) September 1, 2022
Investigators have accused Duncan of firing shots from the back seat of a pickup truck.
Three detectives from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee are in Indianapolis assisting in the investigation, according to officials.
Poetsema’s remains and the two injured soldiers are thought to be on the way back to the Netherlands.
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