Brussels Entrepreneur Dies After Defending Woman on Tram
A 54-year-old well-known entrepreneur from Evere has died after intervening to defend a woman being harassed with racist and Islamophobic insults on a Brussels tram, in an attack that has sent shockwaves through the Belgian capital. Driss Atounane, a father and respected shopkeeper who owned several businesses at Place Liedts in Schaarbeek, was struck from behind with a heavy metallic object on Thursday afternoon and succumbed to his injuries three days later.
The Attack
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, July 23, 2026, on tram 55 at the Tilleul stop on Henri Van Hamme Street in Evere. According to VRT NWS, a woman was being subjected to racist insults when Atounane stepped in to defend her. The tram driver immediately alerted dispatch, and police arrived at the scene.
The suspect then turned on Atounane, striking him from behind with a heavy object that witnesses described as likely metallic — possibly a hammer — carried in a bag. “The aggression was of incredible violence,” a witness told Sudinfo, as reported by La Libre. “Driss immediately fell to the ground and the individual took advantage to attack him. According to young people who intervened to stop the assault, he kicked him repeatedly, trying to crush his head against the ground.”
Young people at the scene intervened to halt the assault while awaiting authorities. Police arrested the suspect, and Atounane was transported to CHU Brugmann hospital in Schaarbeek. He was conscious at the scene but had no memory of the incident. His condition deteriorated on Friday, and he fell into a coma. He died on Sunday morning, July 26, 2026.
The Victim
Driss Atounane was a well-known and respected figure in the local business community, running a supermarket at Place Liedts in Schaarbeek and holding several other businesses in the area. He was on his way from home to his shop when he witnessed the harassment and decided to intervene.
Fellow shopkeeper Fouad Hamdaoui described him to HLN as “a family man, a businessman, someone who was straightforward and a hard worker. It’s truly terrible what happened to him. We are all very affected by it.”
Investigation and Suspect
Aurélie-Anne De Vos, spokesperson for the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed that the suspect was arrested at the scene and placed under an arrest warrant by the investigating judge. A forensic psychiatrist has been appointed to evaluate the suspect’s mental state. According to sources close to the victim, police indicated the suspect may suffer from schizophrenia. The suspect was already known to police and judicial authorities.
Community Reaction
The attack has prompted an outpouring of grief and demands for justice from local political leaders and community figures. Hasan Koyuncu, President of the Schaarbeek Municipal Council and future mayor, said on Facebook: “I hope that justice will be done and that the courage of Driss will never be forgotten.”
Ridouane Chahid, Municipal Council President and former mayor of Evere, called for a firm judicial response: “What a tragedy for our municipality. This attack must be met with a strong response from the justice system. Such acts must not go unpunished.”
Emir Kir, Mayor of Sint-Joost-ten-Node, paid tribute to Atounane’s act of bravery: “By intervening to defend a woman who was being attacked, he chose humanity. An ultimate act of courage that painfully reminds us of the importance of civic engagement and solidarity.”
Hayri Apaydin, President of the Brabant Street Merchants Association, highlighted broader concerns about urban safety: “Yet another shopkeeper who leaves for work and never returns home. Yet another tragedy that testifies to the insecurity that reigns in the capital.”
Broader Context
The incident has reignited discussions about public safety in Brussels, occurring against a backdrop of other violent incidents in the capital region. It also raises questions about mental health care and the handling of individuals known to authorities who may suffer from psychiatric conditions. The case became the most-read article across multiple Belgian news outlets on July 27 and 28, reflecting the deep public emotion surrounding the tragedy.
What’s Next
The suspect remains in custody under an arrest warrant as the investigation continues. The results of the court-ordered psychiatric evaluation will play a significant role in determining the legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the family of Driss Atounane mourns a man widely remembered as a courageous and respected pillar of the community who lost his life performing an act of selfless bravery.