The suspected gunman who opened fire in Brussels and killed two people has died in hospital from his injuries after being shot by police in a cafe after a frantic manhunt, according to Belgian media.
The man, who was named by police as Abdesalem Lassoued and was believed to be a supporter of ISIS, opened fire on a group of Swedish football fans with an automatic rifle last night.
Two people were killed in the attack and a third was injured. The suspect, Abdesalem Lassoued, was shot in Schaerbeek on the outskirts of Brussels. He died in hospital, the Independent reports.
Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said that the man shot was likely to be the gunman, however it has not be formally confirmed that he was.
Ms Verlinden sain in an interview with Flemish public broadcaster VRT that the automatic weapon found on him was the same as the one used in the attack on the two murdered Swedes.
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The suspected shooter is said to have opened fire on Swedish football fans making their way to their Euro 2024 qualifier with Belgium at Heysel Stadium.
Wearing an orange jacket, he could be heard shouting “Allahu Akabar” as he shot dead the Swedes.
Following the shots people ran into a nearby apartment building. However, Lassoued is believed to have followed them and fired into the entrance.
Speaking in Arabic, the man declared the attack was carried out to avenge the recent murder of a US-Palestinian boy.
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Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo wrote on X to offer “my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels”.
He added: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.”
Janne Andersson, manager of the Swedish national team said he was only made aware of the terror incident at half-time. The players found out at the same time and did not wish to continue the game.
The 61-year-old said: “When I came down for the break, I got this information. Immediately, I felt that it was completely unreal. What kind of world do we live in today?
“I came into the locker room and when the team started talking, we agreed 100% that we didn’t want to play on out of respect for the victims and their families.”
A witness told news channel LN24 of his shock at the horrific incident.
The witness said: “I stood there frozen, I didn’t move. I was shocked by what happened, even now I am still in shock. It was a man who came, pushed me, told me to stop running if I wanted to stay alive.”
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