THE HAGUE – Dutch prosecutors have decided not to prosecute the police officer who fatally shot a 15-year-old boy with Curaçaoan roots in Capelle aan den IJssel last year, concluding that the officer acted lawfully while facing an immediate threat.
The decision was announced Thursday by the Public Prosecution Service (OM) following an extensive investigation conducted by the Dutch National Criminal Investigation Department (Rijksrecherche).
The victim, 15-year-old Jerryson from Gouda, was killed in September 2025 following an incident linked to the alleged theft of a fat bike.
According to prosecutors, the teenager was carrying a firearm and ignored repeated warnings from a pursuing police officer. The incident escalated when Jerryson reportedly ran toward a crowded outdoor terrace while being chased.
The Public Prosecution Service stated that the officer fired his weapon after the teenager allegedly raised the firearm in the direction of the pursuing officer, creating what investigators determined was an immediate threat to life.
The shooting sparked significant public debate at the time, particularly within communities connected to the victim.
Attorney Gerald Roethof, who represented the family, publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding the shooting and stated during television appearances that the teenager had been shot in the back.
However, prosecutors said forensic evidence does not support that claim. According to the findings of the Rijksrecherche investigation, Jerryson was struck in the leg and in the chest.
The investigation concluded that the officer acted in accordance with police procedures and internal guidelines governing the use of force.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the officer's actions were justified because they were intended to prevent an immediate and potentially deadly threat.
As a result, prosecutors determined there are no grounds for criminal charges against the officer.
The case attracted widespread attention in the Netherlands because of the victim's young age and the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter. The decision not to prosecute is likely to bring renewed discussion about police use of force, youth crime, and public safety.
While the criminal investigation has now concluded, the case remains a sensitive issue for the victim's relatives and for members of the Curaçaoan community in the Netherlands who closely followed the developments.
The Public Prosecution Service emphasized that its decision was based on forensic evidence, witness statements, and a detailed review of the officer's conduct during the incident. According to prosecutors, the investigation found that the use of lethal force was necessary to avert an immediate danger to the officer and members of the public present at the scene.