In an organized law enforcement response on October 17, Belgian police shot a suspected gunman, identified as 45-year-old Abdesalem Lassoued.
The man was believed to be an Islamic State sympathizer, responsible for the killing of two Swedish soccer enthusiasts in Brussels on October 16.
The dramatic event unfolded in the early hours of this morning in the Schaerbeek neighborhood, where Lassoued was located. A deadly exchange of gunfire led to Lassoued being fatally injured. His vehicle of escape, a scooter, was later removed from the scene, along with the automatic weapon reportedly used in the previous night’s act of terror.
Counteracting various reports from local media, Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden confirmed the suspect’s subsequent death. Prime Minister Alexander de Croo identified Lassoued as an illegal resident of Tunisian origin, describing the prior night’s events as “a brutal terrorist attack.”
The assault targeted a group of Swedish soccer fans traversing the Boulevard d’Ypres near a soccer stadium, within close proximity to the renowned Grand Plaza. Lassoued chased fleeing victims into a nearby building, unleashing a second round of gunfire within the entrance. The horrifying event was broadcast via circulating videos, demonstrating the suspect’s manifest disregard for human life.
Prime Minister de Croo condemned the unprovoked act, noting the indiscriminate nature of terrorism and expressing determined resilience in the face of such attacks. European and Swedish leaders echoed these sentiments, expressing solidarity and grief for the victims.
Under the alias “Slayem Slouma”, Lassoued made a Facebook post where he claimed responsibility for the attacks. Furthermore, a video surfaced in which he expressed his affiliation with the Islamic State and celebrated the tragic incident’s “success.”
In response, Belgian officials have escalated the nation’s terror alert to its maximum level in Brussels and level three throughout the nation. IKEA has increased security measures in eight of its Belgian outlets.
Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne stated that Lassoued, previously convicted in Tunisia for non-terroristic criminal offenses, was linked to people smuggling and illegal residence. Lassoued’s failed asylum application was filed in Belgium in November 2019.
The investigation further revealed that the choice of victims stemmed in part from their Swedish nationality, although no direct correlations with larger conflicts have yet been discerned.
Devastated by the loss, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom expressed condolences, reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to cooperate with Belgian authorities, and emphasized the urgent ongoing efforts to bring all involved to justice.
Although there have been speculations that the attack was fueled by the killing of a young Palestinian boy in Illinois this week, authorities have not confirmed a connection between the two events.
