A tragic event unfolded on the outskirts of Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, where nine individuals—including five children—were stabbed to death. The local police reported that another adult and child were hospitalized with serious injuries following the brutal attack.
Authorities were called to the scene on Saturday night, where they detained a suspect after shooting him in the leg. The individual is currently under police guard while receiving treatment in the hospital.
According to local reports, the suspect is thought to have been grappling with mental health issues, a point noted by both officials and community members. The President of Suriname, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, notably remarked that the suspect's family and neighbors were among the victims, highlighting the personal tragedy of the situation.
Geerlings-Simons expressed her sympathy in a statement, saying, At a time when family and friends should be holding on to and supporting each other, we are confronted with the harsh reality that there is another side to the world. I wish all the bereaved much strength, courage, and comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.
The police have indicated that further details regarding the circumstances of the attack will be released soon. While Suriname generally has low rates of stabbing deaths, incidents like this are rare. The nation has a tumultuous history with several coups and a civil war since gaining independence from the Netherlands in 1975.
