The trial against Fouad L.

On 28 September 2023, Fouad L. killed teacher Jurgen Damen at the Erasmus MC. He also started a fire in the hospital. Shortly before that, he had already killed his neighbour and her daughter. Read about the trial in this dossier.

There was great shock when reports of a shooting at Erasmus MC came out on Thursday afternoon, 28 September. Suspect Fouad L. fatally shot Jurgen Damen and set fire to the Education Centre. It also appears that before that, the suspect shot his neighbour and her daughter. The neighbour died on the spot, her daughter later in hospital.

Fouad L., a former medical student, is facing accusations from the Public Prosecution Service (OM) for eight criminal offences, including the murder of his neighbour, the neighbour’s daughter and lecturer Jurgen Damen. A new charge presented by the prosecution involves the theft of an access pass for secure areas within the Erasmus MC.

The Pieter Baan Centrum wants to investigate suspect Fouad L. longer. The public prosecutor said this during the second pro forma hearing in the trial of the attack on 28 september in Rotterdam.

A community police officer states that Fouad L. had already been posing as a doctor and had expressed his anger towards Erasmus MC. Fouad L. has told the police that he carried out his crimes consciously and deliberately. The public prosecutor told the third pre-trial hearing in the case against the medical student that L. wanted the officers to record this fact in black and white.

The severe autistic disorder of medical student Fouad L. had such an influence on his actions that he should be considered to have diminished responsibility. This is the conclusion reached by the Pieter Baan Centre after two assessment periods. The centre also advises imposing involuntary treatment (TBS).

Fouad L. imagined negotiating with a computer in his head over revenge actions after his medical diploma was put on hold. This was revealed by the public prosecutor. L., who is suspected of multiple murders and arson, appeared in court for the first time.

487 days after the attack on Erasmus MC, the substantive trial against former medical student Fouad L. began. The former student is facing charges including murder, arson, threats, and possession of weapons. Five full hearing days had been reserved in the extra-secure courtroom of the Rotterdam district court. Read the report about the first day of hearing.

A large part of the second day of the trial is reserved for the victims of Fouad L.’s actions and their relatives. Two hundred people sought support from Victim Support Netherlands following his actions on 28 September 2023. Among others, medical student Jasper and board chairman Stefan Sleijfer exercised their right to speak.

After an emotional Tuesday, another emotionally charged day is scheduled in the case against Fouad L. On this third day of the trial, the relatives of 14-year-old Romy and her mother Marlous will speak. The court will also address the compensation claims of Marlous and Romy’s next of kin.

While victims and relatives have exercised their right to speak in the first three days of trial, the fourth day is dedicated to the public prosecutor’s argument and the sentencing demand against Fouad L.

The public prosecutor is demanding thirty years’ imprisonment and compulsory treatment against Fouad L. for the Erasmus MC attack.

The 30-year sentence and TBS for Fouad L. aim to protect society longer. The public prosecutor argues that this combination of sentences is more effective than life imprisonment. Forensic psychologist Josanne van Dongen points to possible psychopathic traits alongside an autism spectrum disorder.