Drug-related shootings have become a routine occurrence in the Belgian capital, with over 65 incidents recorded so far this year. This follows more than 100 shootings in 2025.
Last Monday night, Salvatore's pizzeria in St Gilles was the scene of a shooting, the third in that neighbourhood in three days. A suspected drug dealer was shot in the leg in the same area the day before.
Organised crime in Brussels has become significantly more violent, according to Jurgen de Landsheer, chief of Brussels South Police. He stated that there are more than 200 drug-dealing points across the city, with a successful point potentially generating up to €50,000 per day or more for dealers.
The violence escalated last weekend when a police station came under attack, with CCTV footage showing two men shooting at the building. This marks the first time criminals have targeted police, as previous shootings typically involved rival gangs.
In response to the spike in shootings, Belgium's interior minister announced on Thursday that an additional 40 police officers would be deployed to the problem areas. Mr de Landsheer noted that some individuals arrested are as young as 12, and that young people are being paid small amounts to carry out shootings.