The celebrity Dutch crime reporter is known for his work exposing the criminal underworld. Now, he’s in a critical condition after being shot in the head

Following a shooting in Amsterdam, a Dutch crime reporter has been left fighting for his life. One of the five shots hit Peter R. de Vries in the head as he walked out from his workplace.

De Vries is known for his undercover journalism exposing crime in the Netherlands. He’s previously received threats from the criminal underworld in relation to his work.

“A rare, courageous journalist who tirelessly sought justice”

“He was seriously wounded and is fighting for his life,” Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said in a televised news conference.

“He is a national hero to us all. A rare, courageous journalist who tirelessly sought justice.”

“An attack on the free press”

The Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has called the attack “shocking and incomprehensible.” He added, “We are praying that he will survive”.

De Vries is a 2008 recipient of an international Emmy Award in the current affairs category. in 2008 for his work investigating the disappearance of teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005.

De Vries, 64, is a celebrity in the Netherlands. He’d known for being a frequent commentator on crime TV shows.

“An attack on the free press”

Reuters reports that De Vries has been acting as a counsellor, but not lawyer, to a state witness in a major case.

The witness’ previous lawyer was shot and killed on an Amsterdam street in September 2019.

Three suspects have been detained, police told Reuters.