- The suspect opened fire from behind a closed door as police entered the home.
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A special forces police officer was killed and two others injured in a shooting in Belgium, while the injured suspect was taken to hospital where he later died.
A search in Charleroi, in the south of the country, by agents was launched this morning by the Directorate of Special Units (DSU) as part of an investigation into drug, weapons and vehicle trafficking, according to local authorities.
The suspect opened fire behind a closed door as the police entered the residence, injuring the three officers, the prosecutor’s office said.
Officers at the scene withdrew to tend to the injured police officers and reinforcements were called in, according to Belgian media.
The anonymous shooter reportedly barricaded himself before the police managed to arrest him. He was injured and taken to hospital, where he later died.
A 36-year-old police officer was killed, another was seriously injured and a third was lightly injured. The injured officers were also around 30 years old, VRT News reports.
A forensic team present on site at the home in the suburb of Lodelinsart, Charleroi
Police officers stand guard near a house where a police officer was killed during an operation in Lodelinsart, Belgium.
The police crime scene unit inspects a house where a police officer was killed on March 18, 2024
Footage shows a forensic team attending the scene in the suburb of Lodelinsart, with police in place in the area.
“During an intervention this morning, a special forces police officer was killed,” says Vincent Fiasse, from the Charleroi public prosecutor’s office.
“A second officer was seriously injured and is currently fighting for his life.”
Tributes poured in for the officers involved, with Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden saying: “Today is a black day for the police.
“It was with surprise that we learned this morning of the death of our colleague. Our thoughts are with the families and colleagues of the victims. We will do everything we can to support them.
Police cordons were in place at the scene of the deadly shooting on the morning of March 18.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his thoughts were with the family of the deceased police officer and his injured colleagues.
“The work of our law enforcement deserves respect. It is despicable to make him a target.
Charleroi is in the Walloon region of Hainaut, located approximately 60 km south of the capital Brussels.