Belgium shooting: Special forces police officer, 36, killed and suspect dead after drug raid shoot-out

A special forces police officer has been killed and two others injured in a shoot-out in Belgium, while the injured suspect was taken to hospital where he later died.

A house raid in the southern city of Charleroi by officers was launched this morning by the Directorate of Special Units (DSU) as part of an investigation into drug, weapons and vehicle trafficking, according to local authorities.

The suspect opened fire from behind a closed door as officers entered the residence, wounding the three officers, the prosecutor’s office said.

Officers at the scene retreated to attend to the injured officers and reinforcements were called in, according to Belgian media.

The unnamed gunman is said to have barricaded himself in before officers managed to arrest him. He was injured and taken to hospital, where he later died.

A 36-year-old officer was killed while another was seriously wounded and a third sustained minor injuries. The wounded officers were also in their 30s, VRT News reports.

Police officers stand guard near a house where a police officer was killed during an operation in Lodelinsart, Belgium

The police crime scene unit inspects a house where a police officer was killed on March 18, 2024

Pictures have shown a forensics team attending the scene in the suburb of Lodelinsart, with police in place around the area. 

‘During an intervention this morning, a special forces police officer was killed,’ Vincent Fiasse of the Charleroi public prosecutor’s office says. 

‘A second officer was seriously injured and is currently fighting for his life.’ 

Tributes have poured in for the officers affected, with interior minister Annelies Verlinden saying: ‘Today is a black day for the police. 

‘With surprise we heard about the death of our colleague this morning. Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the victims. We will do all we can to support them.’

Police cordons were in place at the scene of the deadly shooting on the morning of March 18

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his thoughts are with the family of the dead officer and injured colleagues.

‘The work of our law enforcers deserves respect. It is despicable to make them a target’.

Charleroi is in the Hainaut region of Wallonia, located around 60km south of the capital Brussels.