A first analysis of Belgian figures suggests a “disturbing change“, According to the Flemish Institute for Peace, the source of publication. Indeed, effective shots are becoming more and more frequent.
In Brussels, in 86% of the 71 cases counted, shots were fired.
In total, these incidents resulted in the death of 13 people and was 44 injured. “”According to data available at Statbel concerning the causes of death in Belgium, the number of fire -by -fire deaths in Brussels oscillated between 0 and 4 between 2017 and 2022“Underlines Astrid de Schutter, researcher at the Flemish Institute for Peace.”Such an increase, in less than two years of time, can only be qualified as very worrying.“
In the province of Antwerp, shots were fired in a third of the cases, which are 29 in Hainaut, the number of incidents is also high (26). In this province, 16 incidents gave rise to at least one shot. Six in ten incidents for which the context is known are linked to criminal circles.
According to the data collected, practically only men commit acts of criminal violence by firearm. However, women are victims in 16 % of incidents.
Gun violence Incident Monitor has been based since the end of 2023 on the information published by the media about violence involving firearms in Europe to fill the insufficient recording of these facts.
