Merksem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A Merksem apartment complex received gunfire. A resident spotted bullet holes through a door during the early morning hours. No one has revealed when the shots were discharged. Forensic experts will conduct a site investigation at the location.
Shooter fire struck Merksem’s apartment building, causing bullet wounds that appeared on its front door. A resident reported the incident during the morning hours, leading local authorities to respond instantly. Local authorities are currently trying to establish how and when the incident occurred because they cannot determine the exact timing of the shooting.
“Around 6:45 a resident called us to report that there were bullet holes in the front door,”
Says Kim Bastiaens of the local police.
Much is still unclear.
“We do not yet know when the shots were fired. We also cannot yet say who was targeted and why. The forensic lab has been notified and they will come to the scene to investigate.”
What Is the background of Gun Violence in Merksem?
Incidents of violence occur occasionally in Merksem, while gun-related shootings keep appearing as a rare occurrence in this Antwerp community. Antwerp has experienced a rising number of gun crimes during the last decade, according to local crime data, which shows 120 reports for 2022. Investigators have highlighted this incident because Merksem does not normally see such violent crimes.
The region mainly consists of residential buildings because families and young professionals live there.
Authorities in Antwerp previously centred their efforts on fighting drug-related offences, but these crimes occasionally led to violent outcomes. No fewer than 20 illegal firearms were intercepted by Antwerp police throughout the broader region in 2021, which demonstrates continuing weapon accessibility concerns.
