A woman has been killed in a shooting incident in Sint-Lievens-Houtem, south of Ghent, with the culprits still at large.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the small city, which is part of the East Flanders municipality. Two people were shot either within or close to the law firm Flamée – Van Der Stichelen.
The female victim, identified by Mayor Tim De Knyf as lawyer Claudia Van Der Stichelen, succumbed to her injuries. The other victim, believed to be Van Der Stichelen’s son, was hospitalised with gunshot wounds and is not in life-threatening condition.
Details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting remain limited, with an ongoing investigation led by the East Flanders prosecutor’s office. On the scene are also a forensic lab, a medical examiner, and a firearms expert.
Ongoing investigation and community response
Mayor De Knyf indicated that the perpetrator remains on the run, potentially unarmed as “the weapon was left behind.”
Van Der Stichelen was known for her legal work ten years ago representing a surrogate mother in a high-profile case involving a baby referred to in local media as Baby D.
Advocaat.be, the Flemish lawyers’ interest organisation, expressed “horror” at the news of Van Der Stichelen’s death. In a press release, the body conveys its condolences to her husband and all her loved ones.
The organisation highlighted the potential impact on the legal profession, signalling that “if further investigation reveals that Ms Van Der Stichelen was shot because she was a lawyer, it is particularly bad.” The statement emphasised the growing danger and vulnerability faced by lawyers in their profession, advocating the seriousness of threats against lawyers.
