Liège Shooting Incident: Suspect Arrested for Attempted Murder in City Center

Liège, Belgium — A man has been arrested and placed under an arrest warrant for attempted murder after opening fire in the heart of Liège’s city centre on Saturday evening, injuring two bystanders, authorities confirmed. The incident, which unfolded near the Hazinelle tram stop on Boulevard d’Avroy, has prompted a swift police response and raised concerns over public safety in the Walloon city.

Arrest and Charges

The suspect, described as a man in his thirties, was intercepted by the Peloton Anti Banditisme (PAB), a specialised police unit, shortly after the shooting. He was taken into custody and formally placed under an arrest warrant for attempted murder, according to statements from the local public prosecutor’s office reported by DHnet, L’Avenir and RTBF. The prosecutor’s office confirmed the charges on Sunday, marking a rapid escalation in the legal proceedings following the attack.

The arrest warrant underscores the severity of the allegations, with authorities treating the case as a deliberate act of violence rather than a random or impulsive incident. While the exact motive remains under investigation, Le Soir and La Libre.be reported that police sources suggested the suspect may have had a prior dispute with the victims, though no further details about the nature of the conflict have been disclosed.

Incident Details

The shooting occurred at approximately 18:30 on Saturday, April 25, 2026, near the Hazinelle tram stop, a busy transit hub in Liège’s bustling city centre. Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots before seeing two individuals collapse to the ground, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency services responded within minutes, transporting the victims to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their current conditions have not been publicly disclosed, but authorities have confirmed that neither victim sustained life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was reportedly armed with a firearm and fled the scene on foot before being pursued and apprehended by the PAB. The rapid deployment of the specialised unit was credited with preventing further harm, as the suspect was detained without additional violence. RTBF reported that the suspect was found in possession of the weapon used in the attack, which has been seized as evidence.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, tram services along Boulevard d’Avroy were temporarily suspended as police secured the area and conducted their initial investigation. La Libre.be reported that service was fully restored by Sunday morning, with authorities confirming that the scene had been cleared and no further threats were detected.

Broader Context and Investigation

The shooting in Liège occurred amid a weekend of heightened gun violence in the city, though authorities have not yet established a direct link between this incident and other reported firearms discharges. Le Soir and News Directory 3 reported that additional gunfire incidents were recorded elsewhere in Liège on the same day, including a separate event in which approximately fifteen shots were fired. A suspect was also arrested in connection with that incident and placed under a detention warrant for attempted murder, though details about the relationship between the two cases remain unclear.

The public prosecutor’s office has emphasised that the investigation into Saturday’s shooting is ongoing, with police reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events. Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation. However, they confirmed that he has no prior criminal record related to violent offences, though he had been known to law enforcement for minor infractions.

Local officials have moved quickly to reassure the public, with Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer issuing a statement on Sunday condemning the violence and praising the police response. “The safety of our citizens is our top priority, and we are committed to ensuring that those responsible for such acts are held accountable,” Demeyer said, according to DHnet. He also announced that additional police patrols would be deployed in the city centre in the coming days to bolster public confidence.

Public and Political Reaction

The shooting has sparked concern among Liège residents, many of whom expressed shock that such an incident could occur in a well-frequented area of the city. Social media platforms were flooded with eyewitness accounts and videos of the immediate aftermath, with some users criticising what they described as a growing sense of insecurity in urban centres across Belgium. However, police have urged the public to avoid speculation and to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.

At the national level, the incident has reignited debates about gun violence and public safety in Belgium, particularly in urban areas. Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden addressed the media on Sunday, stating that the government would closely monitor the investigation and consider potential policy responses if the incident was found to be part of a broader trend. “We must remain vigilant and ensure that our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to protect our communities,” Verlinden said, as quoted by RTBF.

The incident also drew attention to the role of specialised police units like the PAB, which was created to combat organised crime and violent offences in high-risk areas. The unit’s swift response in apprehending the suspect has been widely praised, with police unions calling for increased funding and support for such teams. “This arrest demonstrates the importance of having well-trained, well-equipped units capable of responding to high-stakes situations,” said a spokesperson for the Belgian Federal Police, speaking to Le Soir.

Next Steps

The suspect is expected to appear before an investigating judge in the coming days to formalise the charges against him. If convicted of attempted murder, he could face a significant prison sentence under Belgian law. Meanwhile, the public prosecutor’s office has indicated that the investigation will expand to explore potential accomplices or additional motives, though no further arrests have been made at this time.

For the victims, the road to recovery remains uncertain. While their injuries were not life-threatening, the psychological impact of the attack is likely to linger. Local support groups have offered counselling services to those affected, and the city of Liège has pledged to provide assistance to the victims and their families as they navigate the aftermath of the incident.

As the investigation continues, authorities have urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Police have set up a dedicated hotline for tips and are reviewing additional surveillance footage from businesses and public transit cameras in the vicinity of Boulevard d’Avroy. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing law enforcement in maintaining public safety amid rising concerns over gun violence in urban centres.