'No place for hate,' mayor says at Utrecht shooting march

Several thousand people carrying red and white flowers, the colors of the flag of Utrecht, walked in quiet solidarity on Friday to honor the victims of a shooting on a tram in the ancient Dutch city.

and five more were wounded, two of whom remain in critical condition.

"We're walking to support victims' families, to show our sympathy, and to make it known that yes also in Utrecht there is no place for hate and violence," said Mayor Jan van Zanen in an address before the procession.

Turkish-born Gokmen Tanis, 37, is accused of carrying out the shooting with terrorist intent. Authorities are also investigating whether he had other personal motives.

On Friday, with a judge, and he said he acted alone.

Utrecht Mayor Jan van Zanen (4th from left) takes part in a silent march to commemorate the victims of the March 18 attack in Utrecht, March 22, 2019. /VCG Photo

Since the shooting, hundreds of people have laid flowers, candles, cards and photos in a growing tribute at the square where Friday's procession was due to end.

Those killed were a 19-year-old woman, a 28-year-old man, and the 49-year-old father of two young children.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte was among those who attended, along with the mayors of Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague, local soccer players, youth groups, church groups, Muslim groups, one anti-Islam group, emergency service personnel, and thousands of people from Utrecht and around the Netherlands.

At the request of one of the victim's families, Utrecht musician Martin van Doorn performed his song "If the Morning Never Comes."

The song ends on the lines "Tell again the one you love, that you have the most faith in her, before the morning never comes again."

(CGTN)