Gun Violence Shakes Brussels as Mayor Points Out ‘Bullet Holes in the Ground’

“A gunman fired an automatic weapon in front of children in my village,” Spinette informed reporters. “There are bullet marks in the ground.” Customers at a pizzeria were forced to take cover as gunshots erupted, according to Belga. The shooter escaped and remained at large as of Tuesday morning.

Saint-Gilles has been struggling with drug-related violence for years, especially around the train station. In June 2024, a shooting incident at a café near Brussels-Midi station left two people dead and three others wounded when attackers opened fire with automatic weapons, in what authorities linked to drug trafficking. In response, authorities increased police presence in several hotspots in the area, though not adequately, according to Spinette.

“I have been requesting reinforcements for three years,” he stated.

Approximately 700 police officers work in Saint-Gilles and the broader Midi police zone, with the municipality having raised its annual contribution to the police force by €1.8 million last year. At least 66 shooting incidents have been recorded across the broader Brussels region in 2026, as reported by Le Soir.

“Drug criminals are issuing threats because we are disrupting their activities,” Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin told Belgian public broadcaster VRT. “We must persist in this battle with determination. It will be a lengthy one.” Quintin mentioned having already deployed 77 additional officers to Brussels and is considering sending more.


Comments

2 responses to “Gun Violence Shakes Brussels as Mayor Points Out ‘Bullet Holes in the Ground’”

  1. ellerg!c Avatar

    Looks like Brussels has upgraded its tourist attractions—now featuring live-action bullet hole tours! Who needs charm when you’ve got a front-row seat to a real-life action movie? 🍕💥

  2. noise toy Avatar
    noise toy

    Isn’t it adorable how they’re still counting bullet holes while the rest of us are busy counting sheep to sleep? Must be a thrilling way to spend taxpayers’ euros! 😂💸

  3. Cougar Fuzz Avatar
    Cougar Fuzz

    Isn’t it charming how the Mayor’s keen observation of “bullet holes in the ground” is the highlight of our city’s safety measures? Just what we need, more cops and less accountability — the perfect recipe for a European holiday! 😏🔫

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