Hostage Flees, Armed Suspect Taken Down by Cop Car Outside Apple Store

A hostage is now safe and a suspect has been detained by police after a multi-hour hostage situation inside an Apple Store in Amsterdam on Tuesday.

Amsterdam police confirmed on Twitter that medical personnel were now taking care of the suspect after his body was examined for explosives. The police said that they stopped the suspect by striking him with a police car, and video footage posted on Twitter by a Netherlands-headquartered news agency appeared to show the vehicle colliding with the suspect during the pursuit.

Video clips posted on local broadcaster AT5's website earlier Tuesday appeared to show one person being held at gunpoint inside the store, Reuters reported. Amsterdam police tweeted that a person inside the store had a firearm and that police forces had arrived, "with many units and specialist units at the scene to get the situation under control." Police later confirmed that there was a hostage situation but did not specify the number of hostages, Reuters said.

Local media have speculated that the situation stemmed from a robbery attempt. Amsterdam saw four armed robberies of mobile phone stores last year, which spurred some stores to remove most of their phone supplies, Reuters reported. While gun violence is not a rare occurrence in the nation, hostage situations such as this one are much less common.

The store is at one end of an upscale square on the Amsterdam center's south side. The situation spurred police to clear the square and ask nearby residents to remain indoors, according to Reuters. None of the four armed robberies of mobile phone stores in 2021 took place in the city's center.

Police initially directed people inside buildings near the Apple store to stay inside, but they later led the people in those buildings away from the square, according to AT5.

Law enforcement also asked people not to publish images or livestreams of the situation "for the safety of the people involved and our deployment," the Associated Press said.

A helicopter could be heard flying overhead while officers were setting up lines to keep people away from the store. Several witnesses told AT5 that they heard gunshots, and one "had to run for my life."

Police confirmed earlier that several people had been able to leave the store while the hostage situation was unfolding but declined to elaborate further, the AP reported. Het Parool, a local newspaper, reported that "dozens" of people had been able to leave.

Police declined then to provide more information about the situation "in order not to upset our investigation and efforts there," Reuters said.

Newsweek reached out to Apple for comment but did not hear back before publication.

Update 02/22/22, 5:30 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with a new headline and new information to reflect that the hostage situation has been resolved.

Update 02/22/22, 3:50 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background.