A police officer was killed in a shooting in a home in Lodelinsart, near Charleroi, on Monday morning. The shooter was also shot dead. A second officer is in critical condition in hospital.
Drug and arms trafficking
The incident took place when an arrest team wanted to raid a house on Rue de l’Etang in Lodelinsart, a sub-municipality of Charleroi, around 6:30 am. The raid took place as part of an investigation into arms trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal vehicle trafficking, and participation in a criminal organization. Simultaneous raids also took place at other locations.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, the gunman opened fire on the officers standing at his door from his bed and through a closed door. The man is said to have completely emptied his magazine at the officers.
Perpetrator shot dead
A 36-year-old officer was killed in the shooting, a 33-year-old officer suffered life-threatening injuries and a 34-year-old officer was slightly injured. After the shooting, the shooter took refuge in the house, after which the police called for reinforcements and shot the perpetrator when entering the house. He was seriously injured, after which he died in hospital from his injuries.
The Charleroi public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the manslaughter of an officer and attempted manslaughter of two officers. Belgium reacted with shock to the shooting. Prime Minister Alexander de Croo called the killing of police officers despicable.
