Dangerous suspect armed with a knife in Koekelberg, a man says: "I jumped on the person to control it"

Following a testimony received via our orange button Alert us, we talked yesterday about the arrest of a man on the street in Koekelberg. This Thursday morning, the public prosecutor of Brussels unveils details concerning this file.

Yesterday morning at 11:35, the police of the Brussels-West zone intervened for a person who threatened passers-by with a knife place of the Black Ponds in Molenbeek. An inhabitant describes the turn of events: "There are two girls screaming because a man was running after them with a knife. I was on the terrace of a cafe, and I stood up wondering what was going on. I saw a man brandish a knife, and I saw a dozen policemen chasing after him and asking him to drop his gun."

Upon arrival, police are informed that the man has fled on foot to Schmitz Street in Koekelberg. The prosecutor's office confirms the chase that then took place between the suspect and several police teams. Police forces repeatedly try to neutralize the man with a knife.

The inhabitant, witness of the facts, then decides to act, and to try to control the madman. "I saw that the situation was going to be a tragedy, because the police were about to shoot, I decided to jump on the person and control them on the ground, and the police recovered the man."

Finally intercepted Avenue Jean Dubrucq, the suspect is deprived of liberty and made available to the public prosecutor of Brussels. According to the witness, the man shouted "Allah Akbar", which annoys the inhabitant, himself of Muslim confession. "You know very well that it's always the same word that comes back, and it made me hate, rage, because we already have a dirty image. When you do such things, you do not have to say that."

An ongoing investigation to know the mobile

Witnesses say they heard that the man would have asked passersby if they are of Jewish origin. An investigation is underway to know the motive of the suspect, according to the prosecution.

An investigating judge was required to investigate the facts which the prosecutor's office described as attempted murder and carrying a prohibited weapon by destination. An arrest warrant has also been requested by the public prosecutor's office.

According to our information, the man of Moroccan origin is illegally resident in Belgium. He arrived in Brussels by train from Liège.