Utrecht tram shooting: Note found in car fuels fears terrorism was motive

Dutch police are working on the possibility that the shooting on a tram in Utrecht in which three people died was a terror attack.

Officials have revealed that a note was found in a suspected getaway car, fuelling fears that Monday's incident in the Netherlands was motivated by terrorism.

No details have been given about what the note said.

But in a statement, detectives said their investigation has not established any relationship between main suspect Gokmen Tanis, 37, and the victims.

Police confirmed the deaths of three people - a 19-year-old woman from the neighbouring town of Vianen and two men aged 28 and 49, both from Utrecht.

A third person has been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the shooting which also left five people injured.

Public prosecution office spokesman Ties Kortmann said three people are now in custody including the alleged gunman and two others who were also detained on suspicion of involvement in the shooting.

Mr Kortmann said Tanis was being held on suspicion of manslaughter with a possible terrorist motive, but he added that investigations were continuing into his motive for allegedly opening fire on a tram.

Police have not ruled out other possible motives and Dutch media reported that his neighbours said the shooting may have been linked to a relationship.

Justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus said Tanis "was known" to authorities and had a criminal record.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: "If it had terror motives, that is being investigated. But it was very serious. The world shares our grief."

The attack came three days after 50 people were killed when a man opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch in New Zealand during Friday prayers.

The threat level in the Dutch city was reduced back to four out of five following the arrest of Tanis after a manhunt involving heavily armed officers with dogs.

Police released a photo of Tanis on a tram in a blue hooded top.

Dutch military police beefed up security at airports and key buildings in the country.

Mr Rutte said: "If it is a terror attack, then we have only one answer: Our nation, democracy, must be stronger than fanaticism and violence."