A man shot dead in a hail of bullets in Beverwijk on Wednesday night is reported to be 55-year-old Hans Nijman, a former free fighter who part owns a gym with links to organised crime.

The killing took place in front of the gym and martial arts club TopTeam shortly before 22.00 hours on Wednesday evening. Locals report hearing automatic weapon fire.

Two vehicles were later found on fire at a car park in Velserbroek. The car park has been sealed off by police while they investigate possible links to the killing.

Investigations

According to crime website Crimesite.nl, Nijman’s name has come up in a number of investigations into drugs dealing and blackmail. He is also said to have links to Dino Soerel, reputed to be one of Amsterdam’s most notorious crime bosses.

‘This was a classic killing in the centre of Beverwijk,’ Nos crime reporter Ilan Sluis said. ‘He was a fighting machine’.

The killing comes as crown witness Fred Ros gives evidence in a major gangland trial in Amsterdam. Ros and Nijman are said to have met at the TopTeam gym.

Nos television reports that the gym’s joint owner, Dick Vrij, was warned by police this summer that his life could be in danger. He is in voluntary custody.