A fatal shooting occurred on Saturday evening at Clemenceau metro station in Anderlecht, Brussels, where a 19-year-old man was killed.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect carrying a military-style weapon, prompting heightened concerns about escalating gun violence linked to drug-related crime in the Belgian capital.
Several metro stations and public transport lines were closed following the attack, although normal metro services resumed on Sunday morning.
Incident Details
The shooting took place at approximately 21:25 near the entrance of Clemenceau metro station. The Brussels public prosecutor’s office confirmed that the victim was shot in the back and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
According to reports from La Libre and Nieuwsblad, the deceased was linked to drug-related activities, though it remains unclear whether he was a direct target or a coincidental victim.
Security footage obtained by Nieuwsblad and La Libre shows an unidentified gunman armed with a military-style weapon.
The incident occurred despite an increased police presence in the area. Officers were patrolling just metres away but were unable to prevent the attack. A pursuit ensued, but the assailants managed to escape.
Authorities have not disclosed further details due to the ongoing investigation.
Official Responses
Belgian Minister of the Interior Bernard Quintin (MR) and Anderlecht Mayor Fabrice Cumps (PS) visited the scene following the incident. Minister Quintin condemned the violence, stating,
“This latest shooting is unacceptable. Measures were implemented last week after the previous shooting at Clemenceau, but we now need additional and stricter actions. An emergency meeting will be convened shortly with all relevant services to discuss further steps.”
However, he did not specify what these measures would entail.
Mayor Cumps emphasised the gravity of the situation, pointing out that the attack occurred despite an increased police presence within seventy metres of the site.
“This demonstrates that these criminals are undeterred. We must maintain our presence in the area, but that alone is not sufficient. We need to intensify judicial investigations to dismantle the networks and target those pulling the strings.”
Connection to Drug-Related Violence
The Clemenceau metro station has become a focal point in an ongoing territorial conflict among narcotics traffickers.
Saturday’s attack follows multiple shootings in Brussels in recent days, including previous incidents at Clemenceau, as well as one in Sint-Joost-ten-Node and another in the Peterbos neighbourhood of Anderlecht, which also resulted in a fatality.
According to Brussels’ chief public prosecutor Julien Moinil, these incidents reflect an ongoing battle between rival drug gangs. Since 2022, Brussels has seen a rise in violent gun crime linked to the drug trade, with authorities struggling to contain the situation.
The latest shooting appears to be directly connected to this escalating dispute, which has left at least one dead and three injured in recent days.
Metro and Public Transport Disruptions
In response to the shooting, metro lines 1 and 5 were temporarily closed between Gare de l’Ouest and Veeweyde, while lines 2 and 6 were shut down between Porte de Hal and Gare de l’Ouest.
Tram 81 services were also halted between Gare du Midi and Marius Renard, with several bus routes affected by deviations.
However, STIB confirmed that metro services resumed as normal on Sunday morning.
Urgent Measures Expected
With public concern growing, authorities are under pressure to act decisively. The Belgian government and law enforcement agencies are expected to introduce enhanced security measures, potentially including an increased police presence, targeted raids, and new judicial strategies to break up criminal networks.
While details of the forthcoming measures remain unclear, officials are facing mounting demands to curb the violence and restore public safety in the capital.
Image source: nieuwsblad.be, © rr
Read also:
Brussels Drugs Wars: Have the Police Lost Control of the Streets?
