Brussels rattled by shooting spree as mayor demands more police
Drug-related violence continues to plague Brussels' Saint-Gilles district, with the mayor criticizing insufficient police presence. Belgium's interior minister has pledged reinforcements for what he calls a long fight ahead.
The Brussels municipality of Saint-Gilles has struggled with drug-related violence for years, particularly around its train station. In June 2024, gunmen opened fire with Kalashnikov rifles at a café near Brussels-Midi station, killing two people and wounding three others, in an attack authorities linked to drug trafficking.
Following the shooting, police presence was increased at several hotspots in the area. However, Mayor Jean Spinette says this has not been enough, noting he has requested reinforcements for the past three years. Around 700 police officers currently work across Saint-Gilles and the broader Midi police zone, while the municipality raised its annual contribution to police funding by €1.8 million last year.
Violence continues to escalate
According to Le Soir, at least 66 shootings have been recorded across the wider Brussels region in 2026. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin told public broadcaster VRT that drug criminals are issuing threats because their operations are being disrupted, calling for the fight against them to continue with determination and warning it would be a lengthy effort.
Quintin said he has already deployed 77 additional police officers to Brussels and is considering sending further reinforcements.
