{"id":159418,"date":"2023-10-03T17:06:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T15:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=159418"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:59","slug":"indications-that-suspect-was-intent-on-targeting-the-examination-board","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2023\/10\/03\/indications-that-suspect-was-intent-on-targeting-the-examination-board\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Indications that suspect was intent on targeting the Examination Board’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fouad L. was probably intent on targeting the Examination Board during his attack at Erasmus MC. Stefan Sleijfer, chair of the Executive Board of Erasmus MC, wrote this in a press statement. The police were able to safely evacuate one of the Examination Board members who was at risk.<\/p>\n

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Het Erasmus MC tijdens de evacuatie.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tElmer Smaling<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The motive behind Fouad L.\u2019s shooting of lecturer Jurgen Damen remains unclear, as Damen was not affiliated with the Examination Board. Sleijfer confirmed that in May, Erasmus MC was informed by the Public Prosecution Service that the student had been convicted of animal cruelty, and that the Public Prosecution Service questioned whether he was a suitable person to practise as a physician.<\/p>\n

\u2018Not unwilling\u2019<\/h2>

In light of this, the Examination Board initiated discussions. Although L. had earned enough credits to be awarded his medical degree, the Board added the condition that he undergo a psychological assessment and that a psychologist was to declare whether he was suitable to practise as a physician.<\/p>\n

According to the Chair, L. was \u2018not unwilling\u2019 to comply with these conditions, but he failed to follow up on them. \u201cIt remains unknown whether he actually consulted a psychologist\u201d, Sleijfer wrote.<\/p>\n

Aside from the letter from the Public Prosecution Service, Sleijfer stated that there were no indications that the student posed a danger or should be denied access to Erasmus MC.<\/p>\n

Never the same<\/h2>

In his statement, Sleijfer also expressed his thoughts on the suffering experienced by the hospital\u2019s staff, students, patients and visitors. \u201cToday, we have begun the difficult process of trying to resume normalcy as much as possible. Erasmus MC is deeply shaken by the events of 28 September. We have lost a beloved lecturer due to an incomprehensible act. Jurgen Damen was a well-known figure in the educational world of Rotterdam. Our hearts go out to Jurgen\u2019s family. Erasmus MC will never be the same again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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