A 53-year-old man, Driekus K., fatally shot his 39-year-old ex-partner, Joeweela, in Gouda after recently being released from custody on assault and firearm possession charges. The incident, suspected to be a case of femicide, occurred a month after his release, highlighting concerns about risk assessment and intervention in cases of domestic violence. Following the murder, Driekus K. fled to Scheveningen, where police found him with severe, self-inflicted injuries; he died at the scene.

The murder has ignited discussions about femicide in the Netherlands, where approximately forty women are killed each year, with a significant portion of perpetrators being (former) partners or family members. This incident underscores the ongoing issue of violence against women and the need for improved prevention and protection measures. Driekus K. had a history of violence against ex-partners, having been sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2009 for the attempted murder of a previous ex-partner.

Prior to the murder, Joeweela had reported Driekus K. for assault, leading to his arrest in early June. However, the court did not extend his pre-trial detention due to insufficient evidence for the assault charge, despite the firearm possession charge and concerns about potential recidivism. The case highlights the challenges in assessing and managing the risk posed by individuals with a history of domestic violence.

Femicide, defined as the killing of a woman or girl (partly) because she is a woman, is a serious issue in the Netherlands. The Femicide Monitor from Leiden University indicates that 448 women were killed between 2014 and 2024, with (ex-)partners being the perpetrators in 243 of those cases. The Netherlands ranks third in Europe, per capita, for femicide rates.

Experts emphasize that femicide often stems from men seeking to maintain dominance over their partners, resorting to violence when the woman attempts to break free. Red flags, such as threats of self-harm or harm to pets, should be taken seriously as indicators of potential escalation. The government launched the “Stop Femicide!” plan of action a year ago to improve early intervention and recognize these warning signs.