Anderlecht on Edge: Kalashnikov Found After Police Chase Following Possible Shooting
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A surge in gun-related incidents has placed the Anderlecht municipality in Brussels on high alert, with police investigating a potential shooting on Lemmens Square on Friday, November 7, just one day after a previous exchange of gunfire in the same location. A vehicle chase late Friday evening led to the discovery of a Kalashnikov assault rifle, raising concerns about escalating violence in the area.
Vehicle Pursuit leads to Weapon Discovery
According to reports from Sudinfo, law enforcement officers initiated a pursuit of a vehicle observed circulating in the Anderlecht area friday evening. “Colleagues spotted and wanted to check this Golf GTI registered in France near Place Lemmens, in Anderlecht,” a senior official stated. The vehicle instantly attempted to evade police, leading to a chase that culminated in a crash on rue Heyvaert in neighboring Molenbeek.
During the apprehension of the vehicle’s occupants, authorities discovered a Kalashnikov, a powerful and widely recognized automatic weapon.The discovery has prompted an immediate investigation into the individuals involved and their potential connection to the earlier reported gunfire.
Police initiated the pursuit of the French-registered Golf GTI around 10 PM on Friday, November 7th, after observing it near Lemmens Square. The driver immediately fled, initiating a high-speed chase through the streets of Anderlecht and into Molenbeek.The chase ended when the vehicle crashed on rue Heyvaert. Two individuals were apprehended at the scene. It was during the arrest that officers discovered the Kalashnikov assault rifle hidden within the vehicle. The occupants, whose identities have not yet been released, are currently in custody and are being questioned regarding the weapon and their potential involvement in the previous day’s shooting.
Previous incident and Potential Link
The incident on Lemmens Square follows closely on the heels of another reported shooting in the same area on Thursday, November 6. While details surrounding the initial incident remain limited, the proximity in time and location has led investigators to explore a possible connection between the two events.
Investigators are actively working to determine if the Kalashnikov found Friday night was used in the shooting on Thursday. While no injuries were reported in either incident, the presence of such a powerful weapon raises serious concerns about the escalation of violence in the area. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing potential witnesses to establish a timeline of events and identify any additional suspects. The Thursday shooting involved an unknown number of individuals and the motive remains unclear.
Suspect with History of Violence
Adding another layer to the unfolding situation, authorities have indicated that one individual involved in a separate incident – an attack on police officers in Schaerbeek – “would have already been convicted of acts of violence.” This details, while not directly linked to the Anderlecht events, underscores a pattern of escalating criminal activity and raises questions about repeat offenders.
The investigation remains ongoing. As of Saturday, November 8th, the two occupants of the Golf GTI are being held for questioning. The Kalashnikov has been sent for forensic analysis. Authorities have increased police presence in Anderlecht and Molenbeek to reassure residents and deter further criminal activity. The case ended with the apprehension of two suspects and the seizure of a hazardous weapon, but the investigation into the
