Brussels Public Prosecutor, Julien Moinil (pictured right), has given details of the killing of a police officer on Monday night during a police operation in the Brussels borough of Jette. At the press conference in Brussels today Moinil was flanked by Chief of Police Michel Goovaerts and Chief Public Prosecutor Frédéric Van Leeuw (pictured left).
Moinil said that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting that led to the death of the police officer.
Walloon Brabant police were called out to a robbery in Tubize, the prosecutor explains. The number plate of the suspects’ vehicle had been passed on, and the Brussels anti-robbery squad was able to locate the vehicle.
“Two teams were deployed for surveillance. A member of the team, an experienced police officer in plain clothes, went to the scene on foot to carry out a reconnaissance in preparation for an intervention.”
Shortly afterwards, the officer, who had been shot in the head, was found near the vehicle. Several weapons were found at the scene. An investigating judge has been appointed to investigate the murder.
Moinil said that several suspects have since been arrested but was unable to provide further details on this matter, in the interests of the investigation.
The Prosecutor expressed his condolences to the family of the victim and continued:
"Police officers take risks in increasingly difficult circumstances. They are human beings. Behind every police officer there is a mother, a son, a brother, a sister. People who are worried."
"We live in a time when police officers are often criticised. But my view is that the police deserve respect and support. My thanks go to them."
Officer named as 41-year-old Nordine
Police chief Michel Goovaerts paid tribute to his officer, who had been killed.
“Nordine, aged 41, joined the police force in 2009, initially as an inspector. Ten years later, in 2019, he realised his dream: to join the anti-robbery squad. He did so with great dedication and professionalism.”
“What I can guarantee is that we will keep the memory of Nordine alive”.
More details emerge
In response to questions Prosecutor Moinil said revolvers were used, not military grade weapons. He also confirmed that the victim was hit by one bullet.
The Prosecutor did not want to comment on the quantity of drugs that was found. His response to other questions was also that the investigation is still ongoing.
He did, however, say that three weapons were found near the vehicle.
Earlier shooting in Elsene
The shooting in Jette was not the first of the evening. Brussels Public Prosecutor Julien Moinil also provided details of the first fatal shooting of the night in the Brussels borough of Elsene. A man was shot dead, but the incident is not believed to be related to the slaying of the police officer in a second Brussels municipality, Jette.
“The victim in Elsene was shot dead on Monday shortly before 6 pm, in the entrance hall of a block of flats. The victim was hit by several shots and died shortly afterwards in hospital.”
“The perpetrators have not yet been identified. An investigating judge has been appointed to look into the murder. That investigation is in full swing” Moinil noted.