Saint-Gilles, Belgium – The streets of Saint-Gilles have become a battleground marred by violence, as another fatal shooting rocked the community on Wednesday morning, marking the third such incident in a week.
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions, Mayor Jean Spinette of the Socialist Party (PS) addressed the public, attributing the spate of violence to territorial disputes among drug dealers.
The latest tragedy unfolded near the Square Jacques Franck, adjacent to the Chaussée de Forest, at approximately 06:00 on Wednesday.
This incident follows two earlier shootings, one on Tuesday afternoon and another on Sunday evening, both in close proximity to the Porte de Hal area.
Mayor Spinette, speaking on La Première radio station, underscored the gravity of the situation, suggesting that each shooting may be part of a targeted assault on a specific drug dealer.
“The federal judicial police are on the scene this morning,” Mayor Spinette affirmed, highlighting the urgency with which law enforcement is responding to the crisis.
Residents of Saint-Gilles convened with Mayor Spinette on Tuesday evening to voice their apprehensions about the escalating violence.
Despite community efforts, Spinette lamented the relentless resilience of drug dealers, accusing them of holding the area “hostage” with their “terror tactics.”
These tactics, he explained, include firing weapons indiscriminately to intimidate rivals and bystanders alike, regardless of the presence of children and families in the vicinity.
The adjacent Marolles neighbourhood, situated on the border of Saint-Gilles, remains on high alert following a separate shooting on Sunday evening, where two individuals sustained grave injuries.
The perpetrators, reportedly fleeing on a scooter, remain at large, prompting an intensive manhunt by law enforcement agencies.
In addition to the shootings, another alarming incident unfolded on Tuesday near Porte de Hal, as assailants targeted the Square Jacques Franck, a notorious hotspot for drug transactions.
Although no injuries were reported, police pursued the suspects to Anderlecht, where they were subsequently apprehended.
Meanwhile, the heart of the city witnessed a stabbing incident coinciding with the second shooting on Tuesday, resulting in injuries to three individuals.
However, authorities have thus far deemed this incident unrelated to the firearm-related violence plaguing Saint-Gilles and Marolles.
The recent surge in violence has reignited concerns about public safety and the efficacy of law enforcement measures in combating organized crime.
Mayor Spinette’s denunciation of drug-related violence underscores the need for decisive action to address the root causes of the conflict.
As investigations into the shootings intensify and police continue their pursuit of suspects, the community remains on edge, grappling with the grim reality of violence encroaching upon their streets.
In the face of adversity, residents and officials alike are compelled to confront the scourge of drug-related violence and work towards restoring peace and security to the neighbourhoods of Saint-Gilles and Marolles.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
