Suriname Mass Stabbing: Nine Dead, Suspect Dies in Custody

Horrific Family Tragedy Rocks Small South American Nation

Suriname, a small nation of just over 600,000 people in northern South America, is reeling from one of the worst violent crimes in its recent history. In the early hours of Sunday, December 28, 2025, a 43-year-old man went on a stabbing rampage in the community of Richelieu, Commewijne District, killing nine people before being apprehended by police. The suspect, identified as Dennis Aroma, died by suicide in his police cell the following day, deepening the national trauma.

The Attack: A Night of Unimaginable Violence

According to police reports and witness accounts shared with Waterkant.net, the violence began around 1:00 AM local time. Aroma, who had recently separated from his partner and was caring for their five children alone, first attacked his own children with a knife. Four of them—aged 5, 7, 13, and 15—died at the scene. His 16-year-old daughter, though critically injured, managed to escape to a neighbor's house for help.

The tragedy escalated when Aroma followed his daughter and attacked the elderly couple who tried to protect her, killing them both. He then moved to another nearby home, where he stabbed and killed a 63-year-old woman, her 72-year-old husband, their grandchild, and another woman present at the time. 'I knew him personally,' said police officer Lorenzo Oron, whose parents were among those killed while trying to help the teenage girl. 'He was involved in planting and hunting. This year he already had a moment where he snapped. The family had involved the Suriname Psychiatric Center who took him, but he was released shortly after.' Oron spoke to De Ware Tijd about the importance of early intervention for mental health and relationship issues.

National Response and Mental Health Crisis

Suriname's President Jennifer Simons expressed profound shock in an official statement, noting that 'this drama hits us in a period when we have celebrated Christmas together and are preparing for the New Year, a time that should be marked by solidarity and hope.' The National Democratic Party has called for a period of reflection and announced a scaled-back New Year's celebration in light of the tragedy.

The incident has sparked urgent conversations about mental health support in a country that faces significant challenges in this area. According to data from Progress Guide, Suriname has one of the highest suicide rates in the Americas at 25.0 per 100,000 people. The country has implemented a National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2020-2025), but resources remain limited, particularly in rural areas.

Henk Amstelveen, leader of the crisis team at the National Coordination Center for Disaster Management, emphasized the need for better prevention. 'We have to learn lessons,' he told De Ware Tijd. 'We cannot keep reacting only after the fact. We need to detect signals earlier and provide guidance.'

Aftermath and Investigation

Police arrived at the scene during the attack and shot Aroma in both legs when he turned his knife on officers. He was arrested and taken to the Centrum Police Station, where he was found dead in his cell on Monday morning. Initial reports suggest he died by hanging.

The Surinamese police have urged citizens to stop sharing graphic images from the incident on social media, warning that 'the thoughtless sharing of such images causes additional suffering for relatives, violates human dignity, and can be traumatic for the public, particularly for children.' This appeal was made on their official Facebook page.

Only two victims survived the attack: the 72-year-old man and the 16-year-old daughter, both of whom remain hospitalized in critical condition. The small Reform and Renewal Movement (HVB) political party has described the situation as 'mental distress as a national emergency,' calling for greater attention to mental health services.

As Suriname mourns, the international community has offered condolences. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed sympathy for what has been described as one of the most serious crimes in recent Surinamese history. The nation now faces the difficult task of healing while addressing systemic issues that may have contributed to this tragedy.