In a chilling incident in Brussels on Monday evening, two people lost their lives in a shooting spree. Shockingly, the alleged gunman, donning a conspicuous fluorescent orange jacket, managed to escape post the shooting, according to a video sourced from Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. The price of this terrifying act: two lives taken prematurely.

Brussels on Maximum Terror Alert

Following the nerve-wracking event, Brussels’s safety measures rocketed to its highest terror alert. The urgency is palpable, especially with the suspect still evading capture.

Victims Identified and The Euro 2023 Connection

Unveiling the identities of the unfortunate victims: two Swedish nationals. The timing of the incident sent shockwaves, occurring just before Belgium’s slated showdown against Sweden in a Euro 2023 qualifying match. Could there be a connection? Het Laatste Nieuws speculates that the victims were potentially two ardent soccer fans.

Social Media Buzz: Alleged Gunman’s Bold Declaration

A disturbing video making rounds on social media post the incident showcased a man clad in an orange motorbike outfit. He made bold declarations in Arabic, asserting that he executed the attack in God’s name and declared his fidelity to the notorious Islamic State terrorist group.

Leaders Express Outrage and Condolences

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo didn’t hold back, labelling it as a “harrowing attack”. Sharing his grief on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, he expressed, “I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels.” He pledged a united front in the battle against terrorism.

European Union’s Chief, Ursula Von der Leyen, condemned the ‘despicable’ Brussels assault, iterating, “Together, we stand united against terror.” Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron succinctly summed up the sentiments, stating: “Europe has been shaken.”

  Alexander De Croo, Belgium, Brussels, Emmanuel Macron, Euro 2023, ISIS, Sweden