Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Since Yesterday, February 5, 2025, The city of Brussels faced drug-related shooting incidents, with two such episodes taking place near Clémenceau metro station and another one in Saint Josse-ten-Noode.
Brussels experienced multiple non-fatal shooting incidents likely related to drug competition disputes, which led to increased worry among the population and intensified demands for preventative measures. A three-shooting spree happened during a 24-hour period, with incidents located at Clémenceau metro station in Anderlecht and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.
The person injured during the Clémenceau metro station shooting received treatment at the hospital. The violent string of attacks triggered police to conduct an active search for the criminals while creating widespread security concerns throughout Brussels. Two victims sustained injuries in Weidestraat Sint-Joost following a reported gunfight that occurred at 1:25 AM on February 5, 2025. The Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office publicly verified that a shooting incident occurred in Saint-Josse.
He has experience with the most serious cases, and yet it “certainly still shocks” him.
“It’s the scene that is shocking, right? And what shocks me even more, of course, are the victims. We go to work, we take the metro and we see weapons of war. There is also the reality of the impact of the bullets. There was even a hit in the room of a child in a side street.”
“I saw the photo,”
He clarifies.
“You can see the impact on the child’s wall. So there is a family who woke up this morning with a bullet in their child’s bedroom. A child was murdered in Antwerp (in January 2023). How many deaths do we have to have before there is a response that matches the seriousness of the situation?”
“We should never accept this as normal,”
He concludes.
So the logical question is: what can be done about it? First, he looks at the money flows of the criminals.
“There is so much money at stake that wars are raging. It is essential to react strongly to the attraction of drugs in Brussels.”
He emphasizes how important it is to confiscate money, but also property, expensive watches, cars.
“Otherwise it will never go down.”
For that, he needs resources: investigators at the federal, judicial, and local police departments.
“Because all these shootings lead to a significant workload.”
“Because,”
He says,
“We are going to react to it. Every fact must have a reaction. We cannot lock everyone up, but there must always be a reaction. Otherwise you allow impunity, and that is the enemy of the rule of law. I think that in Belgium we pay enough taxes to have a quality justice system.”
The feeling of impunity must also disappear, he emphasises.
“I still remember a message on SKY ECC.
It said:
“Belgium is comfortable, one third and you’re out.” We must not have any illusions: these criminals calculate. It’s the first thing they do when they go to prison.”
“Not everyone has to serve their entire sentence, but there has to be a coherent response. If someone is sentenced to 10 years, if that is motivated, why would they be released after three years under electronic monitoring? (…) If an 18-year-old is given a community service order, there is a delay of 2 years. So within two years that community service order can be carried out. What is the point of that?”
“We have to keep up the pressure.”
He also gives figures for this: since January 1, 820 arrests have been made, all together with 190 arrest warrants.
“They shoot at the police, magistrates are exposed, have to hide in safe houses. But that should not stop us from doing our work.”
What is the history of similar incidents in the past?
The region has experienced multiple notable shooting incidents during the previous several years. Several people sustained injuries during 2021 when rival groups engaged in conflict near Clemenceau, along with widespread public terror in the area. A targeted shooting occurred at a local café in 2019, leading to two deaths and many wounded injuries while it created debates about public safety and police strategies. Several incidents, which sometimes stem from economic inequality, youth disenfranchisement and illegal firearm proliferation, have occurred in the region.
