The two young men who were injured in a stabbing and shooting in the Brussels municipality of Anderlecht on Monday have been held, announced the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office. An investigation for attempted murder has been launched.
A shooting took place on Monday evening on and near the Place du Conseil in front of the municipal hall in Anderlecht, a stone's throw from the Clemenceau metro station. At the same time, the police services were also informed of a stabbing on Rue du Chapeau.
Both incidents are said to be related, according to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
"At around 17:50 on Monday 17 March, the police services of the Midi police zone were informed of gunshots on Place du Conseil in Anderlecht," according to the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office. "They found a male victim with gunshot wounds to the abdomen. The victim was an 18-year-old man. He was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition."
Under supervision in the hospital
"The victim [of the stabbing] was a 26-year-old man," the Public Prosecutor's Office said. "He was taken to hospital, but was not in mortal danger. According to the initial investigation, the incidents are related as the shots were fired following the knife attack."
On Monday, the Public Prosecutor's Office had the federal police lab and a ballistics expert go to the scene for a trace investigation, and appointed a forensic doctor.
"The Public Prosecutor's Office has requested to hold both individuals, as well as an investigating judge for attempted murder," they added. "The suspects are currently under police supervision in the hospital."
The investigation is still ongoing to determine the precise circumstances and context of the incidents. In the interest of the investigation, the Public Prosecutor's Office will not comment further.
