Nine people, including five children, were killed in a stabbing attack in Suriname over the weekend, sending shockwaves through the small South American nation known for its traditionally low crime rates.
The attack occurred in Richelieu in the Commewijne district, located approximately 25 kilometers east of the capital city Paramaribo, during the overnight hours between Saturday, December 27, 2025, and Sunday, December 28, 2025.
According to Suriname’s Police Corps, a man used a sharp object to attack multiple victims at several residences. The dead included four adults and five children, with the children ranging in age from 5 to 15 years old. Overall, the victims’ ages spanned from 7 to 80 years old.
Police confirmed that the suspect killed four of his own children during the rampage. Additionally, five neighbors who were in nearby homes were also killed in the attack. Victims were located at multiple homes throughout the residential area.
Two other individuals were seriously injured in the assault. A sixth child and a 72-year-old neighbor sustained severe injuries and were transported to a hospital in Paramaribo for treatment.
When police officers responded to the scene, the suspect attempted to attack them. During the arrest, the suspect was shot in the legs and subsequently hospitalized under police guard. The suspect was later transferred to the Keizerstraat police station in Paramaribo.
The attack appears to have been triggered by a domestic dispute. Neighbors reported that the suspect had been engaged in a phone argument with his estranged wife shortly before the violence erupted. The dispute centered on picking up the children, after the woman indicated she would not come to the address herself and would send someone else to retrieve them.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect had a history of mental illness, though authorities continue to examine whether he had previously received psychiatric treatment.
The tragedy took a grim turn on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, when the suspect died by suicide while in police custody. Dennis Aroma, 43, was found hanged in his cell at the police station, according to authorities.
Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons expressed shock and sympathy on her Facebook page following the attack. “I wish all the bereaved much strength, resilience, and comfort in this unimaginably difficult time,” she wrote.
The president described the horror of the incident, noting it involved a father who took the lives of his children and neighbors. She acknowledged the profound impact on the community during what should have been a time for families to support one another.
The Minister of Justice Harish Monorath and the Minister of Social Affairs and Housing Diana Pokie visited the scene of the murders on Sunday. Pokie addressed the devastating impact on both the affected community and Surinamese society as a whole.
“The impact is enormous, but as Surinamese, we are known for our solidarity. Let us hold on to that and support each other,” Pokie said.
The government announced it will pay for the funerals of all the victims, demonstrating official support for the bereaved families during this difficult period.
Suriname, a former Dutch colony, is the smallest independent nation in South America with a population of approximately 600,000 people. The country has traditionally maintained one of the lowest murder rates in the region, making this mass killing particularly shocking for the tight-knit nation.
However, recent data has shown a troubling shift in the country’s crime statistics. The murder rate spiked dramatically in 2024, reaching 30 homicides per 100,000 residents, according to data gathered by the think tank InSight Crime. This represents a significant departure from the nation’s historical pattern of relative safety.
The stabbing attack represents one of the deadliest single incidents in recent Surinamese history. The scale of the violence, particularly involving multiple children, has left residents grappling with grief and disbelief.
As Suriname continues to process this tragedy, questions remain about what could have been done to prevent such a catastrophic loss of life. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack continues, with authorities examining the suspect’s mental health history and the events leading up to the violent rampage.
The incident has prompted broader discussions about mental health resources, domestic violence intervention, and community safety measures in Suriname. For a nation unaccustomed to such extreme violence, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when family disputes escalate and mental health crises go unaddressed.