Understanding Abdel Rahman Akkad and the fate of the Apple store shooter behind the creation of iHostage.

ABDEL Rahman Akkad conducted a horrifying attack on an Apple Store where he held 70 people hostage. 

The scary crime he committed is going to be depicted in iHostage, a Netflix show that focuses on one of Akkad’s hostages and his contribution to stopping the attack.

Akkad’s horrifying attack

On February 22, 2022, Akkad walked into an Apple store in Leidseplein – a famous area in Amsterdam. 

Akkad was 27 years old at the time of the attack and a resident of Amsterdam. 

Armed with a machine pistol and a handgun, Akkad took 70 hostages though some shoppers were able to flee.

After the shoppers were held hostage for 11 minutes, a police car arrived at 5.41pm. 

Akkad started shooting at the vehicle and then contacted a police call center, demanding 200 million euros in cryptocurrency and the safe passage out of the store.

He used a 44-year-old Bulgarian man as cover while on the call and threatened to detonate a bomb vest which he had donned before the attack. 

During this time, several shoppers managed to sneak out of the building. 

Abdel was delivered water by a police robot at 10.30pm, after making yet another demand.

The Bulgarian man was sent to retrieve the water, but he instead decided to run towards the police prompting a terrifying chase. 

During the chase, Abdel was struck by a police car and was apprehended by the police. 

He later passed away from his injuries, caused by the collision, on February 23. 

An investigation raises even more questions

It was later discovered that Abdel’s explosives were fake. 

He was carrying harmless plastic explosives used by the Ministry of Defence for training purposes. 

A further investigation discovered that Akkad had a criminal record and had previously been arrested for possessing a firearm.

He had also been reported to the police by an ex-girlfriend for harassment. 

Akkad’s true motive was never ascertained, though it was speculated that he was motivated by financial factors. 

He had launched an installation company in 2018, which failed and left him in financial ruin. 

However, questions are still being asked about how he was able to obtain the explosives. 

Five of the hostages, including the Bulgarian man, were given a hero pin by the Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema. 

A Netflix Dramatisation

The horrifying attack inspired Netflix’s thrilling drama iHostage. 

iHostage follows the unnamed Bulgarian man who played an integral role in bringing Akkad to justice.

Viewers can catch the nailbiting series when it lands on Netflix on April 18, 2025.