The son of Dutch investigative reporter Peter R de Vries has said the family's "worst nightmare came true" when his father was shot and seriously wounded.
Royce de Vries added that the family were taking "enormous support" from the messages of solidarity pouring in.
Mr de Vries, 64, was shot on Tuesday after leaving a TV studio in Amsterdam. Three men were arrested, but police say one is no longer a suspect.
Officials say the journalist is fighting for his life in hospital.
The veteran journalist is well known for his coverage of the criminal underworld, exposing gangsters and drug lords. He has helped police solve a number of high-profile cases, and also investigated cold cases, especially concerning children and teenagers.
Mr de Vries has faced danger because of his work in the past. He has needed police protection after receiving threats in connection with his coverage of criminal cases, and in 2019 police told him he was on the hit list of the Netherlands' most wanted criminal.
The Dutch crime reporter who defied death threats
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the shooting was "shocking and incomprehensible", adding that it was an attack on a "courageous journalist" and on the freedom of the press.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima said they were "deeply shocked" and that "journalists must be free to carry out their important work without threats."
What is known about the shooting?
The attack happened just after 19:30 (17:30 GMT) on Tuesday, as the journalist was walking away after a chat show on the Lange Leidsedwarsstraat in central Amsterdam.
Five shots were fired at close range and Mr de Vries was hit in the head, local media reported.
Dutch police later said they would continue to hold two men in connection with the shooting. They said a 35-year-old Polish man and a 21-year-old Dutch man would face a magistrate on Friday.
A third suspect, who is 18 years old, will be released.
The attack has put the spotlight once again on the safety of journalists.
The International Federation of Journalists called the attack "another tragic blow to press freedom in Europe."
European Parliament President David-Maria Sassoli said "attacks against journalists are attacks against all of us."
