Gunfire erupts once more in Brussels, injuring an individual amidst ongoing struggles against drug cartel-related gun violence
Kieran Guilbert • Comments • @Kieran_Guilbert
Brussels is grappling with an unsettling spike in gun attacks, with the latest one injuring a 19-year-old man in the district of Anderlecht. This unfortunate incident follows a series of shootings that have marred the city over the past few weeks.
Police descended upon Rue Ruysdael, Anderlecht, at 1 am, finding the victim with a gunshot wound to his thigh. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where fortunately, his condition is not critical. Investigations are underway to uncover the circumstances, context, and perpetrators behind the shooting.
Gangland Violence
Brussels has tragically become a battleground for drug gangs in recent years. The city has witnessed a staggering 11 gun attacks within the first six weeks of 2025 alone, leaving two dead and four injured. An unfortunate shooting incident in February even necessitated a citywide manhunt and temporary closure of several metro stations.
Despite limited information, these shootings appear to be fallout from territorial disputes between various drug gangs in the city. It's still unclear if these incidents are related, but the ongoing violence underscores a daunting challenge for law enforcement agencies.
Beyond the City Limits
The Port of Antwerp, around 55 km north of Brussels, has been a notorious hub for European imports of cocaine and has been plagued by grenade explosions due to gangland feuds. Security officials have voiced concerns that the violent confrontations would eventually spill over into other cities within Belgium.
The Urgent Need for Change
As citizen's groups clamor for a greater police presence in several neighborhoods, the new Belgian government, led by Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever, has pledged to fortify police zones to better tackle the escalating violence in the city.
In a separate incident this week, armed robbers targeted a jewelry store in Brussels' city center. However, the suspects managed to escape before police arrived on the scene. The investigations are ongoing.
Stay tuned for updates as the authorities continue their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace in Brussels.
References:
- Real Wire - Brussels shooting: Man arrested on suspicion of supplying gun to assailant in deadly attack
- The Brussels Times - Brussels metro lines disrupted as police hunt for gunmen in underground network of tunnels
- EU crime statistics and reports - Various sources
- The Local Sweden - Teenager arrested for Sweden football fans' shootings in Uppsala
Related:
- Brussels shooting: Man arrested on suspicion of supplying gun to assailant in deadly attack
- Brussels metro lines disrupted as police hunt for gunmen in underground network of tunnels
- Brussels
- Gun Violence
- Crime
- Drug Trade
- Kieran Guilbert, while commenting on the recent gun violence in Brussels, reported a shooting that left a 19-year-old man injured in the district of Anderlecht, adding to a series of shootings that have occurred over the past weeks in the city.
- The latest shooting incident appears to be linked to territorial disputes between drug gangs operating in Brussels, according to police investigations, leading to concerns that the violent confrontations might spill over into other cities.
- The Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever, who leads the new Belgian government, has pledged to augment police zones to address the rising gun violence in Brussels, as citizen's groups demand a greater police presence in several neighborhoods.
- Besides the recent gun violence, Kieran Guilbert also covers related news on social media platforms like LinkedIn, providing updates on ongoing police investigations and efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, working in the general news and crime-and-justice sectors of journalism.
