Right-wing Dutch politician Mr Pim Fortuyn has been shot dead. Dutch radio said Mr Fortuyn was shot at least three times in the head. An ambulance was seen at the Hilversum Media Park, where the Dutch national broadcasting company is based.
The reported attack against Mr Fortuyn, 53, came days before national elections on May 15.
Opinion polls predicted the flamboyant politician, campaigning on an anti-immigrant platform, would lead one of the largest parties in parliament.
No information was immediately available about the assailant or whether he was arrested.
Dutch television said he was shot six times as he was going for a radio interview in the Media Park in Hilversum, 12 miles east of Amsterdam.
"I saw Pim Fortuyn lying on the ground with a bullet wound in his head," said television reporter Mr Dave Abspoel.
The reporter said four people chased the gunman, who apparently fired in their direction.
Dutch radio said Mr Fortuyn had probably been shot six times in all, in the neck, head and chest, and was lying at the entrance of a building in Hilversum