A 35-year-old man burst into a police station in the city of Aalst in East Flanders on Monday, attempting to force police officers to shoot him, Het Nieuwsblad reports.
At around 16:00, the man entered the police station seemingly carrying a gun. He attempted to provoke two police officers in the police station into shooting him.
The weapon was revealed to be a replica pistol, which police on the scene luckily noticed. Police officers rushed to subdue the individual and rescue their colleagues.
"The man’s mental state was really confused," Aalst Mayor Christoph D’Haese explained. "Earlier today the man had already caused a disturbance, but as mayor, I cannot provide any further explanation as to the interests of the investigations at this time."
The mayor congratulated the police officers for their composure and discipline, which avoided the man’s death.
