WILLEMSTAD – Police arrested a man aboard an aircraft on Friday evening on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly poured a flammable liquid on his uncle and the man's partner in Punda and tried to set them on fire.
The incident came to the attention of authorities at approximately 6:11 p.m. when police received a report of a man suffering from burn injuries near the customs office on Sha Caprileskade.
Officers and ambulance personnel responded to the scene and found a man with burns on several parts of his body. The victim was immediately transported to the emergency department of the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) for medical treatment.
According to the preliminary police investigation, the suspect had met with his uncle and the uncle’s partner earlier that evening in Punda. For reasons that remain under investigation, the suspect allegedly poured a flammable substance over both individuals and then attempted to set them on fire.
The uncle sustained burn injuries during the incident. Police have not released information regarding the condition of the second victim.
Following the attack, the suspect reportedly attempted to leave the island. Acting quickly, police tracked him to the airport and removed him from an aircraft after he had already taken his seat.
He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody while detectives continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the suspect or a possible motive for the alleged attack.