Vorst (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Vorst district of Brussels witnessed a shooting incident late Monday night, which left one man wounded, according to police zone and municipal mayor updates. It was reported that they found at least 30 pieces of bullet evidence at the location.
A shooting event during late evening hours on Monday wounded one victim in Vorst, which is part of Brussels’ municipal area. Local police and the mayor verified the shooting incident, and BX1 media reported discovering thirty bullets at the site. An arm wound injured the person who received medical attention, but the injury remains non-life-threatening.
A shooting occurred at 23:45 at the location where De Merodestraat crosses Pierre Decosterstraat in Vorst. According to BX1, the weapon used was described as a “weapon of war.” However, police have not confirmed this detail and stated that further information will be provided by the public prosecutor’s office later. The instigator(s) escaped following the incident, and investigators continue hunting for these fugitives.
What is the history behind the Vorst shooting?
Violence in the municipality of Vorst in Brussels occurs sporadically but incidents of high-caliber weapon shootings remain rare. The latest Belgian crime statistics show firearm-related incidents in Brussels increased by 15% during the year 2023 when compared to the previous year. Organized criminal groups and local gangs present significant challenges to the city as they operate most heavily in the Vorst Molenbeek and Anderlecht neighbourhoods.
The firearms crime rate in Brussels increased to 200 reported incidents during 2022 due to drug gang control struggles and turf conflicts.
The use of “weapons of war,” such as automatic rifles, has raised concerns among law enforcement about the escalation of violence. Law enforcement agencies have stepped up their fight against illegal arms trafficking by confiscating more than 1,500 illegal firearms from throughout Belgium during the year 2023.
