Belgium shooting: Special forces police officer, 36, killed and suspect dead after drug raid shoot-out
- The suspect opened fire from behind a closed door as officers entered the home
A special forces police officer was killed and two others injured in a gun battle in Belgium, while the injured suspect was taken to hospital where he later died.
According to local authorities, a house raid was launched by officers this morning in the southern city of Charleroi by the Directorate of Special Forces (DSU) as part of an investigation into drug, weapons and vehicle trafficking.
The suspect opened fire from behind a closed door as officers entered the home, wounding the three officers, the prosecutor’s office said.
Officers on the scene withdrew to treat the injured officers and reinforcements were called, according to Belgian media.
The unnamed gunman is said to have barricaded himself before officers could arrest him. He was injured and taken to hospital, where he later died.
A 36-year-old officer was killed, while another was seriously injured and a third suffered minor injuries. The injured officers were also in their thirties, VRT News reports.
A forensic team visits the house in the suburb of Lodelinsart, Charleroi
Police officers stand guard at a house where a police officer was killed during an operation in Lodelinsart, Belgium
Police crime scene inspects a house where a police officer was murdered on March 18, 2024
Photos show a forensic team at the scene in the suburb of Lodelinsart, while police are present in the area.
“During an intervention this morning, a police officer from the special unit was killed,” said Vincent Fiasse of the Charleroi public prosecutor’s office.
“A second officer was seriously injured and is currently fighting for his life.”
Tributes have been paid to the officers affected, with Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden saying: ‘Today is a black day for the police.
‘We were surprised to hear of the death of our colleague this morning. Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the victims. We will do everything we can to support them.’
Police cordons were in place at the scene of the fatal shooting on the morning of March 18
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his thoughts go out to the family of the dead officer and the injured colleagues.
“The work of our law enforcement officers deserves respect. It is despicable to target them.”
Charleroi is located in the Hainaut region of Wallonia, approximately 60 km south of the capital Brussels.