Dutch police evacuate three shopping centers after shooting spree, reason unclear - 9th Apr 2011

ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN, NETHERLANDS (BNO NEWS) -- Authorities in the Netherlands on late Saturday afternoon decided to evacuate three shopping centers in the town of Alphen aan de Rijn, hours after a deadly shooting spree at another shopping center.

The evacuations were ordered just after 4.30 p.m. local time, Alphen aan de Rijn Acting Mayor Bas Eenhoorn said during a joint press conference with officials representing the police department and the prosecutor's office. Eenhoorn refused to give details about the reason for the evacuations.

"The criminal investigation has resulted in sufficient leads to be careful," the city government said in a statement. "As a precaution, for these reasons, other shopping centers in Alphen aan den Rijn are being evacuated. We ask everyone not to visit shopping centers."Read More