BRUSSELS — A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting at the Clemenceau metro station in Anderlecht, Brussels, that occurred on 5 February, the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday.
The incident, which involved automatic weapons, led to a large-scale police operation and has kept the city on edge for weeks. The suspect, a 19-year-old man, was apprehended on Thursday by police officers who identified him during a routine stop on Chaussée de Forest in the Saint-Gilles district.
According to the prosecutor’s office, officers recognized the man as a suspect in the ongoing investigation. He was subsequently brought before an investigating judge, questioned, and placed under arrest.
This latest arrest follows the detention of two other suspects who were previously apprehended and remain in custody. The prosecutor’s office has not disclosed the identities of the suspects, nor have they provided additional details about their potential motives or affiliations.
The shooting took place early in the morning on Wednesday, 5 February, around 06:00. Surveillance footage and videos circulating on social media showed at least two, possibly more, individuals opening fire near the metro station entrance with automatic weapons.
Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as commuters fled the area. No fatalities were reported, but the incident sparked fear and prompted heightened security measures across the city’s public transport network.
Some of the perpetrators reportedly fled through the metro tunnels immediately after the attack, triggering a large-scale search operation by the special intervention units of the federal police. The police combed through the tunnels in pursuit of the suspects, causing significant disruptions to metro services throughout the day.
The first breakthrough in the case came swiftly. On 6 February, the day after the attack, police conducted several house searches, resulting in the confiscation of weapons and the arrest of the first suspect. Further investigations led to another series of searches on 20 February, during which a second suspect was detained. Both suspects have since remained in custody as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances of the attack.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of individuals involved in the shooting or the nature of their relationship. The investigation is focusing on determining the motive behind the attack and whether it was linked to gang activity, personal disputes, or other potential factors.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close condemned the violence and praised law enforcement for their swift actions. “The security of our citizens is a top priority, and we will not rest until all those responsible are brought to justice,” Close stated.
Meanwhile, metro services at Clemenceau station have resumed normal operations, though security has been visibly increased. Commuters continue to express concerns about safety, with many calling for additional police presence in and around the city’s public transport hubs.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office has urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward.
