Half a dozen shootings apparently linked to drug trafficking (including one fatality) have taken place since the beginning of February in the Belgian capital, where problems linked to the consumption of “crack” in the streets are increasing.
Last night, two people were shot and killed in Brussels in two separate incidents.
The first shots, four according to witnesses, took place around midnight in Laeken in the north of the Belgian capital, according to a spokesperson for the Brussels police.
A 29-year-old person died.
The officers attempted cardiac massage until the Smur arrived, to no avail.
Police say the suspects are still at large.
A security perimeter was established and the police presence in the neighborhood was reinforced to reassure the population.
Wave of violence described as “unacceptable”
A few hours later, a new shooting took place in a neighborhood near the center.
One person was found seriously injured.
Transported to hospital, she did not survive her injuries, said another police spokesperson.
The Brussels public prosecutor's office should take stock of these cases during the day.
According to Le Soir, in a little over a year, the city of Brussels has experienced a total of 19 shootings, leaving 16 injured and five dead.
For their part, the police broadened the findings, and estimated the deaths at 7, for a total of 131 injured in the altercations linked to drug trafficking.
Under pressure after these high-profile incidents, local authorities unveiled their strategy at the end of February to counter this wave of violence described as “unacceptable” by the head of security for the Brussels region, Sophie Lavaux.
Until now, incidents linked to drug trafficking were mainly concentrated towards the Flemish port of Antwerp, which is the main gateway for cocaine into Europe.