Officer died after attack with knife in Aarschotstraat in Brussels: perpetrator, who was shot, announced his attack earlier but was released by justice | Instagram VTM NEWS

A patrol was attacked in Aarschotstraat around 7:15 p.m. The suspect stabbed the two officers, but they were still able to call for reinforcements. “An inspector from a patrol that had come into reinforcements then used his firearm to neutralize the attacker. Both the two injured inspectors and the attacker were taken to hospital.” A witness saw the incident happen. “He stabbed the officers while walking. Then I heard 5 or 6 shots,” it sounds.

It may be an act of terror. According to witnesses, the perpetrator would have shouted ‘Allah Akbar’, although the public prosecutor cannot confirm this for the time being. He would have been hit in the leg and stomach himself.

The officer who was stabbed in the neck has since died. The assailant himself also succumbed to his injuries.

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Remarkably enough, the perpetrator would have presented himself earlier in the day at the police station in Evere. There he would have announced that he would kill police officers. He was then interrogated, but released again by the competent public prosecutor.

Several streets were closed as part of the investigation. “A perimeter has been established and several investigations have been ordered to find out exactly what happened,” confirms prosecutor Sarah Durant.

“Unbearable drama tonight in Brussels”, Brussels mayor Philippe Close responds on Twitter. “We are in solidarity with the police services. The police protect us and must be protected. My thoughts are with the families and their colleagues.”

Meanwhile, Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden also responded. “Terrible drama and heartbreaking news,” it sounds on Twitter. “My thoughts are first of all with the relatives, the members of the police zone and the entire police organisation. I am closely monitoring the situation and I am in close contact with the mayor, the chief of police and the security services. This violence against our people is unacceptable.”