Special forces officer killed in Charleroi shootout

A special forces officer has died following a shootout at a house in Charleroi on Monday morning. Several other officers were injured, one of them critically. The person who opened fire is also in hospital in a critical condition.

A police operation in connection with a case being investigated by the Charleroi public prosecutor's office resulted in a shootout at a house in the district of Lodelinsart. The suspect fired at several police officers. One of them died, the public prosecutor's office confirmed. A second officer is in hospital in a critical condition and a third is in hospital, but his life is not in danger. 

A police press conference about the incident is due to take place on Monday afternoon.

Prime minister Alexander De Croo paid tribute to the family and friends of the officer who died and to those who were seriously injured.

"The work of the police in the service of the public deserves respect. Targeting them is despicable and will never go unpunished," he said on X on Monday morning.

^{A member of the technical unit of the police inspects the scene of a police operation in Lodelinsart, Charleroi, 18 March 2024 © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR}