Belgium: Shots fired in Charleroi between Police and Drug Dealer – Dead a Police Officer

Exchange of fire between a drug dealer and police officers was noted in the with a police officer falling dead. As Charleroi prosecutor Vincent Fias reported, the events evolved around 6.30 in the morning, when a group of special forces of the federal police of Belgium went to investigate the home of a drug suspect. The latter “welcome” the policemen with the gun in hand and “literally emptied the magazine”, hiding behind a door. One of the officers was killed on the spot. At the point reinforcements were sent so they could enter the house. Suspect was found injured inside the house and succumbed some time later to the hospital where he was taken. The prosecutor said police were acting in an investigation into “gang recommendation, drug trafficking, smuggling of vehicles and weapons”. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Cro and Interior and Justice Ministers expressed their condolences to the family of the 36-year-old police officer killed. “This is a black day for Belgian police” commented Eric Sneck, the acting director of federal police.