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'{{Short description|2023 Islamist terrorist attack in Belgium}} {{Current event|date=October 2023|2=}} {{Infobox civilian attack | title = 2023 Brussels shooting | partof = [[Islamic terrorism in Europe]] | image = Bruxelles - Pont Sainctelette (46574819004).jpg | caption = A view of Pont Sainctelette where the shotting happened | map = <!-- | width = | caption = [[King Baudouin Stadium]] where the shooting happened photographed in 2013 | label1 = | caption1 = | position1 = | coordinates1 = --> | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | date = {{Start date|2023|10|16|df=y}} | time = 19:15 [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] ([[UTC+2]]) | type = [[Mass shooting]] | location = [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]] | coordinates = {{coord|50|51|29|N|4|20|47|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}} | target = [[Swedes]] | fatalities = 2<ref>{{Cite news |title=Brussels shooting: 'Europe shaken' after two Swedes shot dead |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67129117 |last=Wright |first=George |date=2023-10-16 |access-date=2023-10-16 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> | injuries = 1 | weapons = [[AR-15]]/[[M4 carbine]] style rifle | perpetrators = Abdessalem Lassoued (1978–2023) | perpetrator = Abdesalem Lassoued{{efn|killed by police the morning after the attack}} | motive = [[Islamic extremism]]<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Robinson |url=https://news.sky.com/story/two-people-wearing-football-shirts-shot-dead-in-brussels-belgian-media-report-12985711 |title=Brussels 'on highest terror alert' and football fans told to stay in stadium after two shot dead |date=17 October 2023}}</ref> }} The '''2023 Brussels shooting''' was an [[Islamism|Islamist]] [[Terrorism|terrorist attack]] carried out by Abdessalem Lassoued, a Tunisian 45-year old member of the [[Islamic State]], on 16 October in [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]]. At around 7:15 pm that day, Lassoued shot dead two Swedish nationals attending a football match at [[Place Sainctelette]] in the [[City of Brussels]], with one other Swede injured.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Skuddrab på svenskere i Bruxelles efterforskes som terror |url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/international/europa/ECE16519225/to-svenskere-skuddraebt-i-bruxelles-foer-landskamp/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Jyllands-Posten |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-16 |title=Brussels shooting: Suspect at large after two Swedes killed in terror attack |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67129117 |access-date=2023-10-16}}</ref> He then fled the scene and remained at large until the following morning when he was shot dead by [[Law enforcement in Belgium|Belgian police]], who are investigating the attack as an act of Islamic terrorism.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-16 |title=Brussels shooting: Two Swedes killed and suspect still at large |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67129117 |access-date=2023-10-16}}</ref> Immediately after the attack, Lassoued posted a video to social media claiming responsibility and to be a member of the [[Islamic State]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Blenkinsop |first=Philip |date=2023-10-16 |title=Two Swedes shot dead in Brussels, Belgium raises terror alert to top level |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/two-swedes-shot-dead-brussels-police-2023-10-16/ |access-date=2023-10-16}}</ref> Following the attack, the terror threat level for Brussels was raised to 4, the highest level. Belgium as a whole was previously level 2.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicholls |first=Catherine |date=2023-10-16 |title=Belgium says two Swedes shot dead in 'terrorist attack' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/16/europe/belgium-brussels-shooting-intl/index.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> == Background == The shooting came at a time of heightened security concerns in some European countries linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, though a Belgian federal prosecutor said there was no evidence that the attacker had any link to the contemporaneous [[2023 Israel–Hamas war|Israel–Hamas war]].<ref name=":5" /> Belgian authorities have said that a motive behind the killing was that the victims were Swedish,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=To svenskere dræbt inden landskamp i Belgien - TV 2 |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/live/udland/2023-10-16-to-svenskere-draebt-inden-landskamp-i-belgien |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=nyheder.tv2.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> and potentially revenge for the [[2023 Quran burnings in Sweden]].<ref>{{cite web |date=16 October 2023 |title=Deux supporters suédois tués à Bruxelles : voici l’auteur présumé, il se revendique membre de l’État islamique |url=https://www.lalibre.be/regions/bruxelles/2023/10/16/deux-supporters-suedois-tues-a-bruxelles-voici-lauteur-presume-il-se-revendique-membre-de-letat-islamique-BOG46B4MNBFQJJUIJOJV2YOJOM/ |work=La Libre Belgiqie}}</ref> The victims were wearing [[Sweden men's national football team]] shirts when they were shot.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brussels 'on highest terror alert' and football fans told to stay in stadium after two shot dead |url=https://news.sky.com/story/two-people-wearing-football-shirts-shot-dead-in-brussels-belgian-media-report-12985711 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> In a video released after the attack, the perpetrator claimed to be directly targeting Swedes.<ref name=":3" /> === Abdessalem Lassoued === Abdessalem Lassoued was in Belgium illegally as his residence permit had expired. According to ''[[The Brussels Times]]'', Lassoued had previous faced terror charges in [[Tunisia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=The Brussels |title=Brussels terrorist suspect has previously faced terror charges in Tunisia |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/746291/brussels-terrorist-suspect-has-previously-faced-terror-charges-in-tunisia |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.brusselstimes.com |language=en}}</ref> == Attack == In response to the attack, the Belgian anti-terror centre raised the terror alert in Brussels to its highest level, and in the rest of Belgium to the second-highest level.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Plazy |first=Sylvain |last2=Casert |first2=Raf |date=2023-10-16 |title=Gunman kills two Swedes in Brussels, prompting terror alert and halt of Belgium-Sweden soccer match |url=https://apnews.com/article/belgium-shooting-swedes-dead-d023a72119dc73ffca7cc61b7a32a955 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dubois |first=Laura |date=2023-10-16 |title=Two Swedes killed in Brussels attack linked to terrorism |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4f2438a2-e4b6-4030-aa99-f82cf129f312 |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Terreuralarm na moordaanslag in Brussel, dader slaat op de vlucht |url=https://myprivacy.dpgmedia.be/consent?siteKey=6OfBU0sZ5RFXpOOK&callbackUrl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.demorgen.be%2fprivacy-wall%2faccept%3fredirectUri%3d%252fnieuws%252fterreuralarm-na-moordaanslag-in-brussel-dader-slaat-op-de-vlucht%257eb50ddf4c%252f |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=De Morgen |language=Dutch |first=Bruno |last=Struys}}</ref> The [[UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group F#Belgium v Sweden|UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier]] between Belgium and Sweden at [[King Baudouin Stadium]], about 5 km from the site of the attack, was called off at half time due to security reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=2023-10-16 |title=Belgium vs Sweden abandoned after two shot dead in Brussels |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/belgium-vs-sweden-abandoned-two-shot-dead-brussels-b1113933.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-16 |title=Belgium-Sweden match abandoned after two Swedes shot dead in Brussels |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/belgium-qualifier-v-sweden-abandoned-after-two-swedes-shot-dead-brussels-swedens-2023-10-16/ |access-date=2023-10-16}}</ref> Belgian fans were evacuated, while Swedish fans were moved to a safe area, as they were deemed to be under special threat. Journalist Oskar Ahlqvist reporting for Swedish newspaper ''[[Sydsvenskan]]'' reported from the stadium that the Swedish fans were taking off their Sweden-themed fan clothing in order to not be as easily identified as Swedish.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=”Folk tar av sig sina Sverigetröjor” |url=https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2023-10-16/folk-tar-av-sig-sina-sverigetrojor |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Sydsvenskan |language=sv}}</ref> The [[Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)|Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] advised Swedes in Brussels to be vigilant.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nyheter |first=S. V. T. |date=2023-10-16 |title=Bryssel höjer terrorhotnivån – Terrorattack i Bryssel |language=sv |work=SVT Nyheter |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/svenskar-ihjalskjutna-i-bryssel?inlagg=63f9defb9065fe28789bb6d01ec626ee |access-date=2023-10-16}}</ref> A video of the event is currently circulating widely on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klitgaard |first=Mads |date=2023-10-16 |title=To personer skuddræbt i Bruxelles før fodboldkamp: Efterforskes som terrorsag |url=https://www.berlingske.dk/content/item/1757182 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Berlingske.dk |language=da}}</ref> In the video, a man is heard shouting "[[Allahu akbar]]" ("[[Allah|God]] is the greatest") before firing an [[automatic firearm]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Två personer skjutna i centrala Bryssel |url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/tva-personer-skjutna-i-centrala-bryssel/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.expressen.se |language=sv}}</ref> A major area in the City of Brussels, where the attack took place, has been cordoned off by police.<ref name=":2" /> The Netherlands has enhanced its border control due to the shooting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Attentat terroriste à Bruxelles : deux morts, l’assaillant, qui était connu pour radicalisation et en séjour illégal en Belgique, est toujours en fuite, perquisitions en cours à Schaerbeek, les fans suédois escortés (direct) |url=https://www.sudinfo.be/id731208/article/2023-10-16/attentat-terroriste-bruxelles-deux-morts-lassaillant-qui-etait-connu-pour |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=sudinfo.be |language=fr}}</ref>Following a manhunt during the night, the perpetrator was shot dead in the early morning by police at a café in Brussels. His death was confirmed by Interior Minister [[Annelies Verlinden]] on the social media [[Twitter|X]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Blenkinsop |first=Philip |last2=Overstraeten |first2=Benoit Van |date=2023-10-17 |title=Brussels shooting: Suspected gunman who killed two Swedes dies after being shot by police |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belgium-hunts-shooter-swedes-brussels-put-maximum-alert-2023-10-17/ |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref> The Belgian procecuror said that the third Swedish victim is critically hurt but not in risk of death.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Terrorangreb i Belgien - TV 2 |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/live/udland/2023-10-16-terrorangreb-i-belgien |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=nyheder.tv2.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> The man was Abdessalem Lassoued.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-17 |title=Brussels attacker dies after being shot by police |language=en |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/17/suspected-shooter-arrested-after-brussels-attack_6180547_4.html |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref> == Investigation == === Perpetrator === The morning of 17 October, Belgian minister of interior affairs [[Annelies Verlinden]] reported that the suspected perpetrator had been shot by law enforcement in Brussels municipality of [[Schaerbeek]] during his attempted arrest, and died on the way to hospital.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/17/suspected-shooter-arrested-after-brussels-attack_6180547_4.html |title=Brussels attack suspect dies after being shot by police |author=AFP |author-link=Agence France-Presse |date=17 October 2023 |access-date=17 October 2023 |newspaper=[[Le Monde]]}}</ref> He was identified as Abdesalem Lassoued, a 45-year old [[Tunisia]]n citizen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-17 |title=Police shoot dead suspected extremist accused of killing 2 Swedish soccer fans on a Brussels street |url=https://apnews.com/article/belgium-sweden-brussels-shooting-soccer-match-a81ef9502207095ebf0afdc5cac5676a |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=AP News |first1=Sylvain |last1=Plazy |first2=Raf |last2=Casert |first3=Lorne |last3=Cook |language=en}}</ref> The [[automatic firearm]] used in the terrorist attack was found in the suspect's possession. It was also reported that police assumes the man was a [[lone wolf attack|lone wolf]] inspired by the [[Islamic State]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Decré |first=Hanne |work=VRT News |date=2023-10-17 |title=Verdachte zou overleden zijn op weg naar het ziekenhuis, zegt minister Verlinden: "Gaat effectief om dader" |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2023/10/17/liveblog-aanslag-brussel/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |language=nl}}</ref> A around 11 AM the following day, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson held a press conference stating that he has received information that Lassoued previous had "shown himself in Sweden".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Terrorangreb i Belgien - TV 2 |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/live/udland/2023-10-16-terrorangreb-i-belgien |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=nyheder.tv2.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> == Reactions == *{{flag|Sweden}} - [[Prime Minister of Sweden|Swedish Prime Minister]] [[Ulf Kristersson]] expressed condolences to the casualities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Terrordåd i Bryssel – personer i svenska landslagströjor döda |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/Xb1AVb |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |first1=Emil |last1=Forsberg |first2=Nelly |last2=Kronstrand |first3=Lina |last3=Dawood |first4=Johan |last4=Flinck |first5=Hans |last5=Österman |language=sv}}</ref> **Swedish Justice Minister [[Gunnar Strömmer]] called the attacks "terrible news".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-16 |title=Sweden says killing of two Swedes in Brussels is terrible news |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-says-killing-two-swedes-brussels-is-terrible-news-2023-10-16/ |access-date=2023-10-16}}</ref> *{{Flag|Belgium}} - [[Prime Minister of Belgium|Belgian Prime Minister]] [[Alexander De Croo]] sent his condolences<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=To personer dræbt i Bruxelles - trusselsniveauet er hævet til sit højeste |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/udland/personer-draebt-i-bruxelles-forud-fodboldkamp |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=DR |language=da-DK}}</ref> *{{flag|Denmark}} - [[Prime Minister of Denmark|Danish Prime Minister]] [[Mette Frederiksen]] sent her condolences on the evening of the attack.<ref name=":4" /> *{{flag|France}} - During a visit to [[Albania]], [[President of France|French President]] [[Emmanuel Macron]] commented on the attack that "[[Europe]] has been shaken".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-16 |title=Brussels shooting: 'Europe shaken' after two Swedes shot dead |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67129117 |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref> == See also == * [[List of terrorist incidents linked to the Islamic State]] * [[List of terrorist incidents in 2023]] * [[Arras school stabbing]] ==Notes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Islamic terrorism in Europe}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Brussels terrorist attack, 2023}} [[Category:2023 in Brussels|Terrorist attack]] [[Category:2020s murders in Belgium]] [[Category:Anti-Swedish sentiment]] [[Category:Belgium–Sweden relations]] [[Category:Deaths by firearm in Belgium]] [[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2023]] [[Category:ISIL terrorist incidents in Belgium]] [[Category:October 2023 crimes in Europe]] [[Category:October 2023 events in Belgium]] [[Category:Terrorist incidents in Brussels|2023 attack]]'