Man dies after being shot by police in Wevelgem

Man dies after being shot by police in Wevelgem
© Belga

A man shot by police on Wednesday afternoon in Wevelgem, Western Flanders, has died, the Office of the Public Prosecutor (OPP) of Kortrijk reported.

The man had attacked a policeman with a screwdriver.

“Two police officers tried to control the man,” the OPP explained, “but the individual immediately became very aggressive,” rushing at the police and threatening them with the screwdriver. The officers then “tried to stop him with pepper spray, but he wounded one of them with his screwdriver in the face and torso,” the OPP added. “The other policeman then pulled out his weapon and fired.”

The man succumbed to his injuries despite efforts to keep him alive.

The policeman was seriously injured but his life is not in danger. An investigating judge has been designated and the P. Committee, which has oversight over the police services, will conduct an investigation into the matter.

The man was known for his aggressive behaviour: in the past, he had already threatened his family and home-care staff.

The Brussels Times

 


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