The family of Gaël M., the man shot dead in Laeken on 23 March, never claimed that he was killed for the sum of €1,000, reports Belga on Thursday. Several media had reported this in the wake of the events.
Gaël M. was shot at around 23:50 on Saturday 23 March in Rue Steyls in Laeken. The victim died at 00:20 after first responders tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him.
Shortly after the incident, the first suspect was placed under arrest. In recent weeks, three more individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder.
The motive for the shooting is not yet known but it is believed to have nothing to do with drugs. The victim was known to law enforcers and had already been convicted on several occasions, including for a violent watch theft, drug offences, and invoice fraud.
Immediately after the incident, it was reported that the young man had rent arrears of €6,000. Several media outlets reported that his family had stated on social networks that he had been killed over a dispute involving €1,000.
"No one in our family has claimed that my brother was killed over €1,000," his family clarified on Thursday. "This information is totally false and comes from a rumour circulating on social media. An investigation is currently underway, and neither our family nor the authorities yet know the exact circumstances of his murder," the family added. They further noted that it is both inappropriate and unethical to pry into alleged unpaid rents without concrete evidence.
