The Dutch defense ministry said the unidentified soldier died Sunday night “surrounded by family and colleagues,” the Associated Press reported. He was one of three Dutch Army Commando Corps soldiers shot outside a hotel during a break from exercises in southern Indiana early Saturday morning. The other two injured are awake and talking to authorities, the ministry said in a statement. The incident happened around 3.30 am. at the Hampton Inn at South Meridian Street and West Maryland Street. Police have yet to make an arrest and name any suspects in connection with the shooting, which happened around 3.30am. in the city’s shopping and entertainment district. They previously said the off-duty troopers were involved in an “altercation” with at least one person in the lead. Fox59 reported that the Dutch soldiers were being trained at the Muscatatuk Urban Training Center. The Indiana National Guard said in a statement that it “is a premier training facility and is used by the Department of Defense as well as other allies.” It adds: “The Dutch soldiers visited Indianapolis at the close of their day’s service. Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and families at this difficult time.” Maj. Mark van de Beek, a spokesman for the Royal Netherlands Army, told News 8 that “the commando corps was in Indiana to conduct training at a civil warfare training facility.” The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department did not release many details. IMPD Major Joshua Gisi told the media that “at this time, the information we are willing to release is that it was not something that happened inside the hotel. It was a previous fight, we believe, at another location.” Representative Andre Carson of Indiana said during an event Saturday morning that “we are working with the State Department and the White House to resolve this issue.” So far, the police have not been able to make any arrests. On Saturday, investigators returned to the scene of the crime questioning local businesses and scanning CCTV footage. Locals, meanwhile, have been shocked by the violence. Several residents of downtown Indianapolis questioned the safety and security situation in the area. Some Hampton Inn guests also told local media that the incident made them slightly scared. The Dutch defense ministry said the families of the three soldiers had been informed.
