AKSEL SHARES STORY OF HOW HE GOT SHOT DURING A NIGHT OUT | THE LOCAL SEX SHOP PODCAST, LIVE, PART I

What happens when nightlife turns violent—and you live to tell the story?

In part one of this powerful two-part live edition of The Local Sex Shop podcast, Mikaella sits down with Aksel Cijntje, who shares his harrowing story of being shot during a night out in Groningen. Recorded just after the premiere of the documentary Nachtgrens, in which Aksel also appears, the conversation goes deeper into the personal aftermath of nightlife violence.

Aksel is a musician who finds therapy in writing and performing songs about his life. On the night of the shooting, lyrics sparked a confrontation with two men who felt targeted by his words. What began as a club argument escalated into a violent attack that left Aksel with a bullet wound to his spine and three bystanders injured. ‘I remember lying on the ground, feeling something warm. It was blood,’ he recalls. ‘I started praying: if God exists, please don’t let this be my last day.’

The trauma didn’t end there. Days later, while in a coma, Aksel’s young nephew drowned in a tragic accident. The double grief changed him profoundly. ‘Half of me is still in the grave,’ he says. ‘But I believe there’s a reason I survived.’

He opens up about the court case that followed: one shooter received ten years, the other walked free. Witnesses were too scared to testify. ‘They said my words weren’t enough,’ Aksel says. ‘And that made me angry.’

Rehabilitation took months, including living in a care facility for the elderly. ‘I was surrounded by people in their 90s and 100s. At first it was heartwarming, then it became heartbreaking. I saw 17 people die during my stay.’

Despite the darkness, Aksel’s story is also one of transformation. He speaks candidly about losing friends, battling suicidal thoughts, and eventually turning his life around. ‘There was a moment I was so low I wanted to end it. But I chose to live. I chose to speak.’

Now, he no longer feels safe going out in Groningen. Venues are inaccessible, and the memories too sharp. But he’s found peace in meeting new people and telling his story. ‘If it weren’t for what happened, maybe I wouldn’t be here today, talking to you.’

He also shares advice for anyone supporting someone living with trauma: ‘Keep your circle small. Stay focused on who you are. And always be thankful you’re still here.’

Aksel’s voice is a reminder that nightlife violence isn’t just a news headline, it’s a life-altering event that echoes far beyond one night.