Man in Suriname Stabs Nine, Including Five Children, After Custody Phone Argument

On the outskirts of Paramaribo, Suriname, police said a man stabbed nine people to death overnight in and around his home.

“Mansour Al-Maswari ALBAWABA- Nine people, including five children, were killed in a knife attack in a residential area near Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo, overnight, police reported”

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Authorities said the victims included five children.

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Various outlets placed the attack in the hours after Christmas.

Geo News reported that on Dec. 29, 2025, police in Paramaribo said the man stabbed nine people to death overnight — including five children — in and around his home in the Hadji Iding Soemitaweg neighbourhood in the Commewijne district.

The Washington Post summarized that Suriname’s national police said a 42-year-old suspect killed nine people by stabbing on the outskirts of the capital overnight Saturday into Sunday, just days after Christmas.

Other outlets gave the same basic tally, with People reporting a suspected attacker stabbed and killed nine people — including five children — and wounded two others, and Mathrubhumi stating that police said a man fatally stabbed nine people overnight, including five children.

Multiple outlets report that several of the children killed were the suspect's own and that neighbours who intervened were among the victims.

The Washington Post said police reported the attacker first killed his four children, ages 5 to 15, and then five neighbors ranging in age from 7 to 80.

BBC

Geo News reported that four of the victims were the suspect's own children and that an 11-year-old daughter was repeatedly stabbed after the suspect argued with his wife by phone.

Albawaba reported he fatally stabbed four of his own children and several neighbors who intervened, including another child.

Newssourcegy summarized that victims included four of the suspect's children and another child aged 5–15.

Police officers say they shot and wounded the suspect as they responded to the incident.

“Paramaribo — A devastating knife assault in a residential area outside Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital, resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals, among them several children, authorities reported on Sunday, December 28, 2025”

English Bombay Samachar

The suspect was hospitalized and taken into custody under guard.

Authorities and media reported the suspect lunged at officers, prompting them to fire.

Geo News stated police fired when the attacker lunged at them with a weapon, wounding him in the leg.

People and other outlets reported he was shot in the legs by Eastern Region officers after attempting to attack them and is now under observation.

Albawaba and newssourcegy similarly reported that officers shot the suspect in the legs when he tried to attack them, then arrested and hospitalized him.

Several sources noted the suspect had a prior history of mental-health or psychiatric problems, according to local media and authorities.

English Bombay Samachar reported he resisted and attempted to assault officers on arrival, was injured in the confrontation, and is currently hospitalized.

Several outlets linked the rampage to a domestic dispute or a phone argument over child custody, while others noted authorities were still investigating.

Albawaba reported the attack began after a phone argument with his estranged wife over child custody, and Geo News said it occurred after the suspect had argued with his wife by phone.

Firstpost

English Bombay Samachar described it as a domestic dispute over child custody, and newssourcegy summarized that the suspect was caring for his children after a marital breakdown and that the motive remains unknown.

People quoted President Geerlings-Simons' description of the scene but did not present a confirmed motive, noting police said more details would follow.

Government and local leaders expressed shock and offered condolences as outlets placed the killings in the wider context of crime trends in Suriname.

“December 29, 2025 A man stabbed to death nine people, including five children, overnight in Suriname’s capital Paramaribo, police said Sunday, adding the suspect was wounded and arrested”

Geo News

Geo News reported that President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons expressed condolences and called the event a "shocking tragedy."

Geo News

Albawaba quoted the president describing the incident as an "unimaginable tragedy."

Newssourcegy reported President Jennifer Simons offered condolences and pledged government support for funeral and related costs.

English Bombay Samachar said authorities are investigating and linked the killings to a recent rise in Suriname's homicide rate.

The outlet noted the homicide rate rose to about 30 per 100,000 in 2024, according to InSight Crime.

People also quoted the president and reported that police would release more details.