An attack on Demosthenes Street Police Station, Anderlecht, took place on Friday evening around 11:30 p.m. One of the attackers fired at least 12 bullets with an AK-47 war weapon, while his accomplice was filming the entire scene. No police officer was injured, but the incident caused panic in the neighborhood and led to protests by residents who say they feel in danger.

(Staff: Belgium / Security & Justice)

On Friday evening around 11:30 p.m., an armed attack targeted the Zuid area police station, located on Demosthenes Street in Anderlecht . Two masked men dressed in black arrived at the scene on an electric scooter for rent . One of them pulled out an AK-47 wrapped in a white cloth and opened fire on the police station entrance . the other filmed the entire attack from a distance . After firing about 12 bullets, which left visible traces in the windows and doors of the building, the two fled on the same scooter . .

No one was hurt but the neighborhood is in shock

Although the ward was closed to the public, there were neighborhood police officers inside . Fortunately no one was hurt in the attack . Brussels prosecutor’s office opened an investigation, appointed a ballistic expert, and the federal judicial police lab was sent to the scene . By Saturday afternoon, no suspect had been arrested. . .

Residents, outraged: “We’re moving to Flanders”

The attack took place in a residential area, and the residents are deeply shocked. According to the Bruzz article, some neighbors say they intend to move to Flanders, away from the violence in the neighborhood. A resident told Bruzz: “We are moving to Flanders, because he is no longer sure here.” Others fear drug-related violence has escalated to the point where the police themselves are the target of attacks.

Reaction of the authorities: “unacceptable”

The Brussel-Zuid Area Police Chief Jurgen de Landsheer said the attack was “exceptional and unacceptable”. He pointed out that this type of violence, which directly targets law enforcement, cannot be tolerated in a democratic society . According to police sources, the attack could be a retaliation of cocaine trafficker gangs, which were targeted by a large-scale operation this summer . “This could indicate that we manage to disrupt their activities,” an official said . .

Background: Firearm violence, growing in Brussels

The Anderlecht attack is part of a broader context of growing armed violence in the Brussels region. In recent months, numerous shootings have taken place, including outside the known “hot” neighborhoods. Although attacks on police stations are rare, they point out an escalation of violence related to organized crime.