In the first seven months of 2026, the federal police recorded 57 shootings across the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region – resulting in two deaths and 21 injuries.
If the shootings continue at the same rate in the second half of the year, Brussels is set to break another tragic record.
"Anyone – every resident of Brussels and every citizen – could fall victim to a shooting," the Brussels Public Prosecutor Julien Moinil stated last summer.
He made this striking statement when, in mid-August, Brussels was shaken by its 57th shooting. Throughout 2025, the federal police ultimately recorded 101 shootings, resulting in a total of eight deaths and 43 injuries.
While the number of victims is significantly lower this year so far, the number of shootings had already reached 57 by 31 July. At this rate, the Brussels-Capital Region is once again on course to break a tragic record.
Drug trafficking
The first fatality of this year occurred in January in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. A 50-year-old man was shot in the back on Rue Gillon and succumbed to his injuries. Bystanders tried in vain to resuscitate him. According to witnesses, several suspects fled the scene on a scooter after firing at least four shots.
The second fatality occurred during the night of 17 to 18 July in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. Shortly after midnight, the police found a seriously injured man in Rue du Cheval Noir. He died of his injuries shortly afterwards.
In both cases, there is reportedly a link to the drug scene, although the judicial investigation has yet to confirm this. A large proportion of the other 55 shootings also appear to be linked to drug trafficking.
