Ridouane Chahid demands federal action after six Brussels shootings
Federal PS MP Ridouane Chahid demanded more police and judicial resources on Tuesday evening after six shootings were recorded across Brussels in four days.
In 30 seconds
- BX1 recorded six shootings across Anderlecht, Saint-Gilles and Molenbeek in four days.
- Three people suffered non-fatal leg injuries in the incident chronology published by BX1.
- Gunfire struck an Anderlecht police station and a window in a Saint-Gilles home.
- Two suspects were detained after a Monday shooting in Saint-Gilles.
Updated 25 August 2026, 21:21 CEST — . Federal PS MP Ridouane Chahid on Tuesday evening demanded a concrete federal response after six shootings were recorded in , and Molenbeek over four days. Speaking on , he called for more police investigators, stronger judicial capacity and coordination across Belgium’s levels of government. A joint meeting of the Chamber’s Interior and Justice committees has been accepted in principle, BX1 reported, although no date has been fixed.
The latest shooting occurred at about 21:40 on Monday near Place des Deux Bancs in Saint-Gilles, where an automatic weapon was fired and customers in a neighbouring pizzeria took cover. No one was injured and the gunman escaped, according to BX1, citing Saint-Gilles mayor Jean Spinette. Earlier incidents included gunfire at an Anderlecht police station, a bullet entering a Saint-Gilles home and three people suffering leg injuries. Two suspects were detained after one of the incidents, while the Brussels prosecutor’s office said investigations were continuing.
Chahid said citizens “expect concrete answers” rather than disputes between parties or administrations. BX1 reported that he wants Interior Minister and Justice Minister questioned in Parliament. and The Brussels Times previously reported that the PS also seeks stronger customs controls at the Port of Antwerp and measures preventing imprisoned drug bosses from directing violence.
The federal government disputes the claim that it has failed to act. Quintin told BX1 that 77 officers had already reinforced Brussels, including more than 40 on a structural basis, and said further measures would follow after an assessment. Verlinden said in an official statement that organised crime requires coordinated enforcement, prevention and social policy, adding that police and courts cannot remove its underlying causes alone.
The immediate impact falls on residents, businesses and police in the affected neighbourhoods. The sequence also exposes a long-running division over whether Brussels chiefly needs more federal personnel, stronger local governance or both. BX1 reported that the regional authorities have budgeted €68 million for security and prevention and plan to appoint a drugs commissioner at the end of September.
Where this is happening
View on map Brussels →The prosecutor’s office is due to hold a press conference on Friday, according to BX1. Investigators have not publicly established that all six shootings are connected, identified every perpetrator or confirmed the motive in each case.
What to do
People living or working in Anderlecht, Saint-Gilles and Molenbeek should monitor verified notices from local police and their commune, avoid any cordoned crime scene and report urgent danger through Belgium’s emergency number, 112. Anyone with information about an incident should contact the police rather than share unverified identifications online. No new security measure, public-service restriction or funding decision has yet been announced. The next concrete development to watch is the date and agenda of the proposed joint Chamber committee hearing, where the interior and justice ministers may be questioned about resources and coordination.
Impact
Regional — The incidents affected Anderlecht, Saint-Gilles and Molenbeek, placing additional pressure on local police zones and renewing municipal demands for federal support.
EvidenceWell established · 1 primary source + 1 official document + 3 independent reporting sourcesExplore evidence →Hide evidence ↑
- Published:
- 25 Aug 2026, 02:00
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 25 Aug 2026
- Published:
- 25 Aug 2026, 02:00
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 25 Aug 2026
- Published:
- 24 Aug 2026, 02:00
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 25 Aug 2026
- Published:
- 25 Aug 2026, 02:00
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 25 Aug 2026
- Published:
- 23 Aug 2026, 02:00
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 25 Aug 2026
Voices & reactions
What the main actors are doing
Reported positions, summarised — not direct quotationsPS and southern Brussels mayors
Ridouane Chahid and the mayors of Saint-Gilles and Anderlecht argue that local services lack sufficient investigators, officers and judicial capacity. They want rapid federal reinforcement and a national mechanism capable of supporting Brussels during acute episodes of armed violence.
Federal interior and justice ministers
Bernard Quintin says the federal government has already reinforced Brussels and rejects claims that the capital receives less support than Antwerp. Annelies Verlinden argues that enforcement must be combined with prevention, local accountability and coordinated action against the social conditions exploited by criminal networks.
The story, connected
Explore the people, places and ideas in this story
Go beyond the headline. Open a card for sourced context, maps, official links and the other subjects connected to this report.
Continue reading
This story was assembled from verified evidence, with its sources and reasoning recorded as it was written.