Shots were fired in three different places in the Brussels-Capital Region on Monday night, with one person sustaining injuries. So far, no one has been arrested.
Three shooting incidents took place in three different Brussels communes on Monday night, La Capitale reported. At least two of the three shootings are thought to be linked to the drug milieu in the region.
n one case, a person was shot in the buttocks on Chaussée de Gand in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe to the northwest of the city centre at around 20:30. Police confirmed that the person had been taken to hospital, but was not in life-threatening condition.
An investigation has been launched, and findings so far indicated that the incident was the result of another settling of scores between gangs.
Later in the evening, at around 23:30, gunshots were reported again, this time on Rue Charles Ramaeker in Laeken. No casualties were reported. Police hinted that the person shooting may have fired into the air to scare an ex-girlfriend. Still, an investigation was also opened into the incident.
Less than an hour later, at around 00:20, a third shooting took place, according to La Capitale. A couple was targeted by three or four individuals near Place Bara in Anderlecht. No one was shot, however. This incident is also believed to be linked to drug gangs settling scores.
So far, no suspects have been arrested in any of the three cases.
Ongoing issues
Brussels has been plagued by a series of shootings this year.
The total stood at 35 in August, and several more have since been recorded.Most recently, the area around the Aumale metro station in Anderlecht saw a series of shootings in just a few days.
Although not new, authorities have stressed that drug-related issues have taken on an extra dimension due to changes in consumption, including the rise of crack cocaine. A combination of circumstances, such as homelessness, migration, unaccompanied minors and socio-economic problems, are thought to be at the root of these issues. There is therefore no clear-cut solution.
From targeting hotspots and banning alcohol to the Brussels-Midi action plan and deploying police officers from the anti-drug squad in civilian clothing in Saint-Gilles, several measures have been tested and implemented, but still, the region is struggling to keep a lid on gun violence.
