Advertisement

Amateur video captures Belgian police shooting armed man during tense standoff

Click to play video: 'Amateur video captures Belgium police shooting armed man during tense standoff'
Amateur video captures Belgium police shooting armed man during tense standoff
WARNING: The above video contains images of violence which may not be suitable for all viewers. Discretion is advised. – Aug 16, 2016

Amateur video obtained by the Associated Press shows a standoff between Belgian police and a suspected gunman in the city of Ghent on Sunday. The man was eventually shot by officers and is said to be in critical condition.

No one else was wounded.

In the video filmed by a bystander, the officers are seen repeatedly asking the suspect in English to put the gun down.

Local media report that the officers spoke in English because the suspect was thought to be of Greek descent.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

The policemen are then seen moving towards the man after he refuses to let go of his weapon, and shooting him three times, before pinning him down and securing the scene.

READ MORE: Two brothers allegedly planned terrorist attack, arrested in Belgium

Story continues below advertisement

Belgian media later said the suspect is 26 years old, although he has not been identified yet.

Flemish broadcaster VTM said the incident occurred in Ghent around 6 p.m. local time on Sunday after bystanders warned police that an armed man was running down a street in the city centre.

Local media later reported the man may have been acting under the influence of alcohol, and had a prior record of firearms possession.

An investigation into the incident is underway.

Belgium is still on high alert in the wake of suicide attacks in Brussels in March.

Prosecutors’ spokeswoman Julie Van Hoorebeke was quoted as saying that the incident probably wasn’t linked to terrorism.

Sponsored content

AdChoices