On Tuesday evening, a man was shot in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, according to the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office. It is the eighth shooting in the commune – one of Belgium's poorest – since September.
Sudinfo reported that the shooting of a man on Tuesday may be related to alleged territorial disputes between rival gangs.
"On April 12, 2022, around 9:30 p.m., a police patrol had to intervene during a shooting in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean," said Sarah Durant, the Spokesperson for the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office.
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“When the police arrived on the scene, they found a victim with a gunshot wound to the leg. His life is not in danger. The circumstances of the incident are not yet clear and the investigation is ongoing. In the interests of the investigation, no further comments will be made," she added.
Among the poorest in the country
Molenbeek is a commune in Brussels bordering the city centre, Anderlecht and Laeken.
It is one of the poorest communes in the country. According to the statistical office of Brussels, 44% of women and 39.5% of men were on social welfare aid in 2021. In 2019, youth unemployment was as high as 40%.
Residents have often complained of discrimination in the job market because of where they are from, but also when dealing with the police.
