One person was killed and two others were injured in a home invasion in the Brussels municipality of Ixelles on Thursday morning, the Federal Police confirmed. There is currently no trace of the perpetrator.
The invasion occurred early on Thursday morning at around 04:00 on Rue Gachard, near Avenue Louise in Ixelles. One or more perpetrators entered a family home and shots were fired inside, the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed. A man (57) was shot dead, while a woman (57) and a young man (22) – all French nationals – were injured.
The 22-year-old had reportedly arranged to meet one of the men via the popular dating app targeted at gay men Grindr, police sources confirmed to De Standaard. Once in the apartment, it became clear that the resident had been lured into a trap by criminals who find their victims on the app.
When they started demanding money from the victim, this caused a commotion and woke up the young man's parents. They intervened and shots were fired. The father was shot and died on the spot. His wife and son both suffered gunshot wounds to the arm and were taken to hospital.
"Their lives are no longer in danger," confirmed the Public Prosector's Office.
The Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the case, having attended the scene alongside forensic analysts. The investigation has been transferred to the Federal Police.
In the interest of the investigation, the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office will not comment further.
Update: This article was updated on Friday morning following more detailed information from the Public Prosecutor's Office.
