During an operation in the early morning in a suburb of Charleroi, Belgium, a member of the DSU special forces was fatally shot, and two others were injured after an exchange of gunfire with a heavily armed suspect. The mission, carried out by the Directorate of Special Units (DSU), aimed to investigate a criminal group involved in trafficking arms, drugs, and stolen vehicles.Â
The confrontation occurred when DSU operators attempted to serve a warrant at a residence on Rue de l’Etang. Upon entry, the team was met with gunfire from a suspect who then barricaded himself within the premises. Despite the initial exchange of fire, the suspect was apprehended but later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The shootout resulted in one DSU operator, aged 36, losing his life en route to the hospital, while another officer remains in critical condition. A third officer suffered minor injuries during the incident. The events unfolded around 06:30 local time, with the DSU team clearly identifying themselves upon entry. However, they were immediately fired upon by an armed individual concealed behind a door.
This incident has prompted responses from various officials, including the interim Commissioner-General of the Federal Police, Eric Snoeck, who expressed deep sorrow for the loss and injuries sustained by the officers. Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden and Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt, along with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, extended their condolences to the victims’ families and colleagues, assuring support for those affected.
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