By Tom Malley
A POLICE officer has been shot dead during a botched raid in Belgium.
Two more cops were injured after a gunman opened fire from “behind a bedroom door”, according to reports.
Belgian police officers stand guard outside the house where the attack took place[/caption]
The attack took place in Rue de L’Etang, a sub-municipality of Charleroi, Wallonia, on Monday morning, during a house search.
Upon entering the suspects bedroom during the search, the man was still in bed but immediately opened fire with a weapon that was in reach.
The suspect then barricaded himself inside the house, leading to a stand-off with officers.
One officer, 36, of the Directorate of Special Forces (DSU) was killed, a second, 33, is in critical condition, and a third, 34, was injured, local media report.
The suspect also suffered serious injuries after officers opened fire.
He was found injured but after being arrested, was taken to hospital in critical condition where he died from his injuries.
The search was part of an investigation into a criminal organisation that trades weapons, drugs and stolen vehicles, public prosecutor of Charleroi, Vincent Fiasse, confirmed in a press conference.
“The officers entered the house at 6:30 am and immediately identified themselves as police officers,” he said.
“They first saw a woman in the house, after which someone else immediately fired at the officers from behind a door.
“Three officers were hit. They were evacuated by colleagues, while reinforcements were requested.
“Officers then penetrated behind the door, where the suspect was found injured. He has since been dead.”
The DSU is the police tactical unit of the Belgian Federal Police consisting of highly trained officers.
They are trained and equipped to handle cases of terrorism, kidnappings, hostage taking and other forms of serious crime.
Category: News, World News
