An Immigrant on the run
Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:41 pm
Immigrant on the run after murdering Belgian judge and legal assistant in courthouse in row over housing benefitBy Paul Thompson
Last updated at 7:05 PM on 3rd June 2010
Comments (0) Add to My Stories An Albanian immigrant was on the run today after shooting a female judge dead and killing a legal assistant with an axe in a row over housing benefit.
Isabella Brandon, a Belgium Judge of the Peace who specialised in family matters, and André Bellemans, died instantly from wounds to the head.
The bloodbath took place just after lunch in an annex of the Palais de Justice in central Brussels, where security had recently been stepped up because of a high profile terrorist trial.
Murder: A judge and legal assistant have been killed at the Palais de Justice Brussels in Belgium
‘The man was screaming all kinds of threats when he marched up to the women and shot them both in the head a number of times with a rifle,’ said an eye witness.
‘He had been involved in an earlier case about housing benefit and clearly wasn’t happy with the judgment handed down.
‘He’s thought to have gone home to pick up his weapon and then returned to carry out the murder.
‘People inside the court were screaming and shouting throughout the drama. There was blood everywhere. Nothing could have been done to save them.
The man managed to pick up a nasty wound before running away out into the street. All buildings in the area have been locked down, with warnings on TV and radio. Police are trying to find him.’
The man had shot Judge Brandon in the head before using another weapon, thought to be an axe, on her assistant.
He said to have brought the axe down ‘heavily on the assistant’s back,’ said the eye witness.
The women, both in their 50s, were both married with children and were due to retire soon.
Belgium Justice Minister Stefaan De Clerck said it was the first time that a judge had been killed in a court, and that security was usually taken ‘100 per cent for granted.’
Announcing a national minute’s silence for the victims, he added: ‘What happened was a terrible shock. We are doing everything we can to find the killer and bring him to justice. This is an absolute catastrophe.’
Mr De Clerck said a recent trial involving alleged Islamic terrorists had seen x-ray machines and metal detectors installed at all entrances to the Palais de Justice.
However, Judge Brandon was sitting in a minor court in an annex next door, where security was more lax.
Judge Brandon specialised in matters including divorce, adoption and commitment to psychiatric institutions.
A Brussels police spokesman said: ‘We are looking for an Albanian immigrant in connection with this terrible shooting. All nearby buildings, including a local school, have been shut down. This man remains armed and dangerous.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldne ... z0ppBexN7k
Last updated at 7:05 PM on 3rd June 2010
Comments (0) Add to My Stories An Albanian immigrant was on the run today after shooting a female judge dead and killing a legal assistant with an axe in a row over housing benefit.
Isabella Brandon, a Belgium Judge of the Peace who specialised in family matters, and André Bellemans, died instantly from wounds to the head.
The bloodbath took place just after lunch in an annex of the Palais de Justice in central Brussels, where security had recently been stepped up because of a high profile terrorist trial.
Murder: A judge and legal assistant have been killed at the Palais de Justice Brussels in Belgium
‘The man was screaming all kinds of threats when he marched up to the women and shot them both in the head a number of times with a rifle,’ said an eye witness.
‘He had been involved in an earlier case about housing benefit and clearly wasn’t happy with the judgment handed down.
‘He’s thought to have gone home to pick up his weapon and then returned to carry out the murder.
‘People inside the court were screaming and shouting throughout the drama. There was blood everywhere. Nothing could have been done to save them.
The man managed to pick up a nasty wound before running away out into the street. All buildings in the area have been locked down, with warnings on TV and radio. Police are trying to find him.’
The man had shot Judge Brandon in the head before using another weapon, thought to be an axe, on her assistant.
He said to have brought the axe down ‘heavily on the assistant’s back,’ said the eye witness.
The women, both in their 50s, were both married with children and were due to retire soon.
Belgium Justice Minister Stefaan De Clerck said it was the first time that a judge had been killed in a court, and that security was usually taken ‘100 per cent for granted.’
Announcing a national minute’s silence for the victims, he added: ‘What happened was a terrible shock. We are doing everything we can to find the killer and bring him to justice. This is an absolute catastrophe.’
Mr De Clerck said a recent trial involving alleged Islamic terrorists had seen x-ray machines and metal detectors installed at all entrances to the Palais de Justice.
However, Judge Brandon was sitting in a minor court in an annex next door, where security was more lax.
Judge Brandon specialised in matters including divorce, adoption and commitment to psychiatric institutions.
A Brussels police spokesman said: ‘We are looking for an Albanian immigrant in connection with this terrible shooting. All nearby buildings, including a local school, have been shut down. This man remains armed and dangerous.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldne ... z0ppBexN7k