Brussels stabbing attack: police officer dead

Brussels –

A lone assailant killed one police officer and injured another on Thursday. Two of his Belgian judicial officials said they suspected links to terrorism. The suspect was shot and taken to hospital.

Federal prosecutor Eric Van der Sypt told the Associated Press that the suspect was injured by another police officer after stabbing him.

Van der Sypt added that investigators suspected the attack took place in a “terrorist context”. Prosecutors told the Associated Press that they took over the case because of “suspected terrorist attacks.”

“One of our patrols was attacked by a man armed with a knife,” police told Le Soir newspaper. “Then two police officers called in reinforcements. Another patrol officer used a gun to neutralize the attackers.”

“Two injured detectives and the perpetrator were taken to hospital,” police added.

Le Soir said one of the officers died after being stabbed in the neck.

The newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reported that the suspect went to the police station on Thursday morning, warning him that he would kill the officer. In a Facebook post, the ACV Police Union said it had information that a person threatening an attack had turned himself in to police earlier in the day. It added that judicial authorities did not arrest him.

According to Belgian media, the attackers shouted “Arraf Akbar,” the Arabic phrase “God is great,” during the attack, which occurred around 7:15 p.m.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Cruz extended his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased officer.

“Our police officers risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of our citizens,” he said. “Today’s tragedy demonstrates this once again.”

Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said she was in contact with the mayor of Brussels, the chief of police and the security services to coordinate the response to the attack. “Such violence against our people is unacceptable,” she said.

Belgium has suffered several terrorist attacks over the past decade, including a 2016 suicide bombing in the Brussels metro and airport that killed 32 people and injured hundreds.