Two Arrested After Shooting in Aalst, Victim Injured

Two people have been arrested following a shooting early Saturday morning on the Houtmarkt in the Belgian city of Aalst, according to VRT NWS. One person was injured in the incident but is not in life-threatening condition.

Police were called to the central square at around 6:00 AM local time after reports of a shooting. Officers established a wide security perimeter around the area and arrested the two possible suspects in the nearby Nieuwstraat, VRT NWS reported.

Investigation Ongoing

The circumstances of the shooting remain unknown. According to VRT NWS, the wide perimeter has since been lifted, though the immediate area around the scene remains cordoned off as investigators continue their work.

No names, ages, or nationalities have been released for either the suspects or the victim, and authorities have not yet indicated a possible motive or whether the parties were known to one another.

Mayor Requests Federal Police Support

Aalst Mayor Christoph D’Haese (N-VA) said he and the local police chief requested additional assistance from the federal police to keep the case under closer watch. The request reflects the scale of the police deployment, which drew significant resources to the scene.

“There was a lot of police present and everyone worked long and hard, but we still had to complete the regular matters and so we called in the help of the federal police,” D’Haese said, according to VRT NWS.

The arrest operation followed a heavy police presence in the surrounding streets, with officers working through the morning to secure the scene and gather evidence.

Security Concerns in Aalst

The Houtmarkt is a central square in Aalst, a city in the East Flanders province, and home to shops, restaurants, and a busy hospitality scene.

The shooting comes as Aalst has focused on improving public safety, particularly in the area around its train station, which has grappled with nuisance, drug-related problems, and public drunkenness. As the local outlet Dender Journaal reported, the city has taken measures including closing a cafe linked to drug dealing, imposing a temporary alcohol ban, and conducting systematic identity checks.

A budget of 614,000 euros was allocated in the city’s 2026 budget for a new police post at Aalst station, alongside 940,000 euros for a new police station at the Keizershallen, underscoring the municipality’s push to strengthen police visibility and rapid intervention.

What’s Next

As of Saturday morning, no official press release from the public prosecutor’s office had been issued regarding the incident. Police have not indicated when further details about the suspects or the investigation might be released.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as the inquiry continues.