UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Nur Asena Erturk and Ahmet Gencturk
ANKARA/ATHENS (AA) - Police in Brussels on Tuesday shot dead the gunman who killed two Swedish nationals in the Belgian capital the previous evening, the country's interior minister said.
"The perpetrator of the terrorist attack in Brussels has been identified and died," Annelies Verlinden said on X.
The suspect, shot in the chest in the Schaerbeek district of Brussels, died of his wounds in hospital, according to local media.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close also confirmed that the shooter was neutralized by the police. “We act with composure and determination. Everyday life must be preserved as much as possible. Thank you to all public services for their collaboration,” he said on X.
Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo in a press conference said "terrorists must understand that they will never succeed in their intent."
"They will never be able to subjugate our free societies," he added, explaining that two Swedish nationals were killed Monday night after a soccer game, and that a third victim was recovering from severe injuries.
The shooting took place around 19.15 p.m. local time (1715GMT), 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.
As people fled into a building, the gunman is seen pursuing them and opening fire.
Authorities raised the terror threat in the city to four, the highest level.
Neighboring France was also tightening controls at the border with Belgium, said French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said she expressed condolences to her Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom.