GUNNED DOWN
Police officer shot dead and two cops injured during botched raid in Belgium as gunman opens fire from bedroom
Officers had found the suspect still in bed upon entering a property, before he opened fire with a weapon in reach
A POLICE officer has been shot dead during a botched raid in Belgium.
Two more cops were injured after a gunman opened fire from "behind a bedroom door", according to reports.
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The attack took place during a house search in Rue de L'Etang, a sub-municipality of Charleroi in the south of the country, on Monday morning.
Upon entering the property, officers of the Directorate of Special Forces (DSU) - a highly trained tactical unit of the Belgian Federal Police - found the suspect still in bed.
However, he immediately opened fire with a weapon that was within reach and barricaded himself inside the room, leading to a stand-off with officers.
It led to the entire area in the suburb of Lodelinsart being sealed off.
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One officer, 36, was killed, a second, 33, is in critical condition, and a third, 34, was injured but his life is not in danger, local media report.
The suspect also suffered serious injuries after officers opened fire.
He was found injured but, after being arrested, was taken to hospital in critical condition where he died from his injuries.
The search was part of an investigation into a criminal organisation that trades weapons, drugs and stolen vehicles, public prosecutor of Charleroi, Vincent Fiasse, confirmed in a press conference.
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DSU officers trained and equipped to handle cases of terrorism, kidnappings, hostage taking and other forms of serious crime had been called to carry out a search at the house.
"The officers entered the house at 6:30 am and immediately identified themselves as police officers," Fiasse said.
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"They first saw a woman in the house, after which someone else immediately fired at the officers from behind a door.
"Three officers were hit. They were evacuated by colleagues, while reinforcements were requested.
"Officers then penetrated behind the door, where the suspect was found injured. He has since been dead."
Eric Snoeck, interim commissioner general of the federal police, described the events as "a black day" in history.
"Like every morning, our people got up early this morning. One of them is not returning home," he said.
"We are thinking of his family, his colleagues, to those present for whom this must have been traumatic."
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