Brussels gunman possibly 'neutralized,' say Belgian authorities, local media

By Nur Asena Erturk and Ahmet Gencturk

Police in Brussels on Tuesday "neutralized" a suspected gunman behind the killing of at least two people in the Belgian capital the previous evening, local media reported.

The suspect, neutralized early in the morning in Brussels, was the wanted gunman, and has since been hospitalized, Belgian authorities said, according to broadcaster RTBF.

The shooting took place around 19.15 p.m. local time (1715GMT) on Monday, according to public broadcaster VRT, which also showed amateur footage of a man in a fluorescent orange jacket and white helmet dismounting a motor scooter and firing several shots with an automatic firearm.

When some people flee into a building, the gunman is then seen pursuing them and opening fire.

The two slain Swedes were in Brussels to watch a football game between Sweden and Belgium.

Authorities in the EU have escalated the terror threat in the city to four, the highest level, signaling a serious and imminent terrorist threat.

Through the rest of the country, the terror level was raised to level three, representing a possible and likely threat.

Neighboring France is also tightening controls at the border with Belgium, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.