Apple Store Hostage Situation In Amsterdam Fortunately Comes To An End

An hours-long standoff at an Amsterdam Apple Store thankfully came to an end late on Tuesday when a police car drove into the hostage-taker while he made his escape. 

Fortunately, at the end of ordeal, the hostage was safe.

“We can confirm that the hostage taker is out of the Apple Store. He is lying on the street and a robot is checking him for explosives,” said the police in a tweet.

“Armed police officers have him under control from a distance. The hostage is safe,” they added.

At the moment, the hostage taker’s motive has yet to be uncovered, though local channel AT5 posited that it could have been the result of an attempted armed robbery. 

After reports of shots being fired, police—along with heavily armed specialist teams—crowded around the store, and had sealed off the nearby Leidseplein Square. 

As per AP News, residents and people in shops and cafés near the area were advised to remain indoors.

Additionally, as reported by Sky News, police asked those in the area not to publish images online or livestream the situation “for the safety of the people involved and our deployment.” 

Apple has yet to comment on the situation, though the most important thing is that none of the staff were hurt in the standoff.

[via AP News and Sky News, cover image via Andreistanescu | Dreamstime.com]