Amsterdam Apple Store hostage situation resolved by police
The store is located in Leidseplein, a square at the south side of Amsterdam's central canal ring.
Police in Amsterdam have resolved a hostage situation that took place at a local Apple Store on Tuesday.
Police vehicles cordon off a wide area in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, where an armed person is holed up in the Amsterdam Apple Store with at least one hostage in an hours-long standoff with scores of police massed outside. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) | AP Newsroom
The store is located in Leidseplein, a square at the south side of Amsterdam's central canal ring.
DUTCH CONSUMER WATCHDOG GIVES APPLE FIFTH $5.7 MILLION FINE IN APP STORE DISPUTE
The Politie Eenheid Amsterdam Twitter account disclosed that an individual with a firearm was "in/near the store" and that authorities were at the scene with "many (specialist) units to get the situation under control."
Law enforcement immediately cleared the area and asked the public to stay away from the site. Police also asked that those with a view of the building "exercise restraint in publishing images or live streams."
After an hours-long standoff, police confirmed that the suspect had been stopped and that the hostage is safe.
"We managed to stop the hostage-taker by hitting him as he ran out. Violent images of that collision can be seen," police added. "We now know that the suspect had no explosives on his body and medical personnel are now taking care of him."
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Amsterdam police said that "dozens of people" who were able to leave the Apple Store were being collected to give witness statements and receive "victim support." An investigation into the suspect is ongoing. Police did not disclose any information about his identity or condition.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAPL | APPLE INC. | 189.82 | -0.02 | -0.01% |
"We are so incredibly grateful and relieved that our employees and customers in Amsterdam are safe after this terrifying experience. We want to thank local law enforcement for their exceptional work and ongoing investigation," an Apple spokesperson told FOX Business. "Our teams and customers took swift action and showed incredible strength and resolve today, and we are so thankful for the support and care they’ve shown each other under such challenging circumstances."