Man Conditionally Released After Firing Alarm Pistol Outside Belgian Café

A 26-year-old man in Neerpelt, Belgium, has been conditionally released by an investigating judge after firing an alarm pistol outside a café. The incident, which occurred around 3:20 AM on Saturday, involved shots being fired into the air following an argument between the suspect and another 26-year-old man. Fortunately, no one was injured during the commotion, but the gunfire caused significant panic in the neighborhood.

Police from Noord-Limburg responded swiftly to reports of the shots and apprehended both individuals at the scene. The judicial lab was dispatched to conduct a thorough forensic investigation. The suspect appeared before the investigating judge in Hasselt today, facing charges related to weapons offenses, threats, and harassment.

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Weapons, even if it's 'only' an alarm pistol, belong nowhere in our society, and certainly not in a café or an entertainment district where many people gather.

Despite the lack of injuries, the incident has drawn strong condemnation from local officials. Mayor Dennis Fransen stated that weapons, even alarm pistols, have no place in society, especially in public areas like cafés where people gather. He described the actions as "cowboy practices" that severely undermine the sense of security in the area. The municipality is considering further administrative measures to address the incident and reinforce its stance against violence and weapon use in public spaces.

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Showing a weapon and firing a shot are cowboy practices that are completely unacceptable and seriously affect the sense of security in our entertainment district.