The gunman killed three people and injured nine when he opened fire aboard a tram in a square to the west of the Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday in what authorities described as a possible terror attack, officials said.
Jan van Zanen, the Mayor of Utrecht, said in a television broadcast that a terrorist motive to the attack could not be ruled out after police named the suspect, reports Efe news.
"The police asks you to look out for the 37-year-old Gökmen Tanis (born in Turkey) associated with the incident this morning at the 24 Oktoberplein in Utrecht," police said, adding: "Do not approach him."
Police shared an image of the suspect apparently taken aboard a tram minutes before the attack was reported and urged members of the public in Utrecht to remain indoors and to report anything suspicious to a helpline.
The shooting took place at 10.45 a.m. in 24 Oktoberplein, a busy junction underneath a highway bridge.
Police said they had found a red Renault Clio car they had been looking for in connection to the attack.
The Dutch counter-terrorism and security unit NCTV was involved in the investigation.
"NCTV is monitoring the situation in Utrecht. In close contact with local authorities. We cannot rule out a terrorist motive. Crisis team is activated," said Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg, the NCTV's national coordinator.