Early on Monday evening, two people were killed by gunfire in Brussels and the suspect was on the run, the public prosecutor’s office in the Belgian capital told the AFP news agency.
A video confessing to the double murder, in which a man speaks in Arabic, circulated on social networks on Monday evening, a source familiar with the case reported.
A spokesman for the Brussels public prosecutor’s office contacted by AFP only made it clear that an investigation had been initiated, without being able to initially comment on the motive.
AFP
The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office, which is responsible for terrorism cases, was commissioned to investigate on Monday evening, a spokesman told AFP.
The file, which until then was in the hands of the Brussels public prosecutor’s office, was “federalized,” said spokesman Eric Van Duyse.
⚠️Threat level 4 for the Brussels-Capital region. Increased vigilance is required. Avoid unnecessary travel.
— CrisisCenter Belgium (@CrisiscenterBE) October 16, 2023
According to a video posted on the website of the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, the gunman, wearing a fluorescent orange jacket and riding a scooter, fled after using an automatic weapon he shouldered to fire at least four shots.
The events took place near Place Saintelette in the northern district of the Belgian capital. The police were alerted shortly after 7 p.m.
A security perimeter has been installed.
AFP