Man kills 9 persons including his children in Suriname

Last Updated on Sunday, 28 December 2025, 15:41 by Writer

A Surinamese man early on Sunday morning went berserk, fatally stabbing nine persons, including three of his children, and injuring others in the north-eastern area of Suriname, media reports say.

Waterkant reported that the three children were 15, 7 and 5 years old.

His eldest daughter, 16, screamed for help after she was stabbed several times and ran to neighbours for help.

The incident occurred on Hadji Iding Soemitaweg in the Commewijne district.

A husband and wife, who intervened after they heard the man’s badly injured girl screaming, were also stabbed and died at the scene.

Waterkant also reports that the man then moved on to another neighbor’s home where he stabbed to death 63-year-old Louise Wijntuin, another woman who was temporarily staying at the address, and a grandchild.

Wijntuin’s husband was seriously injured and was taken to the emergency room with multiple stab wounds, as was his daughter, Denorah. They were admitted for observation.

Starnieuws reports that a preliminary investigation and neighborhood inquiries indicate that the suspect may have been experiencing a serious mental health crisis.

Starnieuws also learned that prior to the violence, the man had a phone argument with his wife, who no longer lived with him.

The conflict reportedly concerned picking up the children. Shortly thereafter, violence escalated.

The suspect was located by police shortly after the incident. During his arrest, he allegedly threatened officers with a knife, forcing police to resort to shoot him in the legs before arresting him.

Forensic investigations have conducted a large-scale investigation at the residence, the property, and the home of a neighbor where three people, including a child, were stabbed to death.

Due to the scale and seriousness of the crime, additional personnel have been deployed.

Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath said, “It is with great sadness that I express my condolences to the families and loved ones of the children and adults who fell victim to this horrific event. This tragedy deeply affects us all and underscores the urgent need to protect our society from such violence.”

President Jennifer Simons reacted on her Facebook page: “This morning we are shocked by the violent incident in Commewijne. 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. A father who takes the lives of his own children and also kills his neighbors in the process. I wish all the bereaved much strength, courage, and comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.”