Grenade Bombing and Shooting Attack in Liege, Belgium
On December 13, 2011 at around 12:30pm, lone gunman identified as 32 year old Nordine Amrani went on a killing rampage in a busy downtown area of Liege, Belgium. Nordine Amrani lobbed three hand grenades at people standing at a bus stop near the Place Saint-Lambert square and subsequently opened fire from an AK-47. The mayhem resulted in deaths of 5 people, including the gunman. Additional 123 people had been injured in the attack.
According to preliminary reports by the witnesses, at least three explosions and a gunfire were heard near Liege’s courthouse where Christmas outdoor market was in full swing. Belgian TV station RTL-TV1 reported the attackers also threw stun grenades into the courthouse.
The police responded to the attack, allegedly killing one of the attackers and capturing another. Belgian daily newspaper La Meuse however said that the attacker had killed himself. A gunman was also reported to have fired gun shots from the rooftop of a bakery and more gun shots were heard later from unidentified parts of Liege.
Busy downtown square by Place Saint-Lambert which leads to Liege’s shopping street is served by over 1,800 buses every day. The Liege’s annual Christmas market which spreads from Place Saint-Lambert to Place du Marche has 200 retail booths competing for attention of 1.5 million visitors the market attracts each year.
Belgian authorities confirmed that the bloodshed was not a terrorist attack so speculations were killed before they could take flight like happened with the 2011 attacks in Oslo, Norway.
As of 3.10pm Belgian time, according to Sudpresse, there are 64 injured people being treated in six different hospitals throughout Liège. Sudpresse was also the first to suggest that the name of one of the attackers was Nordine Amrani, 32 year old resident of Liege whose car found at the scene.
The mayor of Liège – Willy Demeyer told the journalists from La Meuse that the attacker used Kalashnikov to shoot at the crowd.
3.35pm UPDATE: Belgian authorities confirmed in a press conference that the Liege attack was perpetrated by a lone attacker named Nordine Amrani. Nordine Amrani killed three people plus himself and injured 75. He threw three hand grenades and discharged fire from several guns.
Among the victims are a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old boys. Both died on the spot. A 65-year-old woman died from her injuries later on. Nordine Amrani then killed himself. A 2-year-old toddler remains in critical condition after the attack.
According to the press conference, Nordine Amrani had no links to terrorist organizations and was of stable mental health. RTL reported that Nordine Amrani was due to appear at the Palais de Justice today – he was previously sentenced for illegal possession of weapons and drug trafficking. Reports say Nordine Amrani was armed with a pistol and a rifle on top of the hand grenades. Nice present you gave your fellow Belgians there, Nordine Amrani. Why target innocent people? Why not try to go after some gangsters the police are having a hard time nailing if you intend to commit suicide afterwards?
Belgium Attack Latest Updates
The 17-month-old baby who was earlier reported to have been in critical condition died of wounds suffered during the attack, increasing the death toll to 5 people so far.
Belga national news agency maintains that circumstances relating to the death of Nordine Amrani are still uncertain. Suicide is quite likely, however still unconfirmed. Some speculate that he died as a result of a weapon malfunction which may have exploded in his arms.
King Albert II of Belgium, Queen Paola and newly named Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo all rushed to Liege to be with their people in these difficult times.
Liege’s prosecutor Daniele Reynders confirmed at a news conference that Nordine Amrani opened fire and threw grenades at random people from the roof of a bakery shop.
In 2008, Nordine Amrani was sentenced to over 4 years in jail for illegal possession of arms and growing marijuana. He was freed on parole in October 2010. Despite his past which involved drugs and stolen goods dealing and arms possession, there had never been signs that he was mentally unbalanced.