Two jailed for 2025 Clemenceau shooting; neighborhood still struggles with crime

The Brussels correctional court has sentenced two men to 11 and 13 years in prison for a 2025 shooting outside the Clemenceau metro station in Anderlecht. The incident, which saw 23 bullets fired from an AK-47, narrowly missed injuring anyone, though a child's bedroom was hit.

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The neighborhood is being neglected.

The shooting was considered the start of a series of violent events in early February 2025, linked to drug trafficking. Rival gangs were reportedly involved, with the prosecution seeking 16 years for the main suspect. The court also heard that a passerby was seriously injured in a subsequent shooting, and a 19-year-old was murdered just days later. The violence culminated with shots fired at a house and undetonated Molotov cocktails left nearby.

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The biggest value of the project is the children's smiles and the feeling of acceptance and belonging that the children take home with them.

In response to the escalating violence, authorities implemented security measures, including closing off the Clemenceau square for 10 months and increasing police presence and checks. Despite these efforts, residents and police acknowledge that problems of nuisance and crime persist. One resident expressed a feeling of abandonment, while the city coordinator noted that neighborhood initiatives offer hope for improvement, though full peace has not yet returned.

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I wish that every child this year experiences a summer where they feel accepted, important, and carefree.