“Place Saint Gery evacuated. There are special forces on site. All the people in the bars had to leave”Lara reported this Friday at 4 p.m. via the orange Alert us button. “What is happening in the center of Brussels? Barriers and numerous police officers”, said another witness.
Local police quickly confirmed that a police operation was underway at Place Saint-Géry, located in the center of the capital. “Police were informed that an armed person was in a building. Police are on scene and have established a security perimeter as a precaution and have evacuated everything,” said Ilse Van de Keere, spokesperson for the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone.
He admitted to having handled an airsoft weapon on his terrace
The authorities lifted the security perimeter shortly after 5 p.m., when the individual was arrested on the public highway. “He admitted to having handled an airsoft weapon on his terrace”, explained the police spokesperson. “He has been arrested and will be questioned.”added Ilse Van de Keere.
Police forces were dispatched in large numbers and the Saint-Géry district was completely cordoned off. Nearby residents were temporarily confined to their homes and heavily armed officers were deployed to search the area.
