Soldiers in Brussels shot and killed a man on Friday who attacked them with a machete in what appears to be an Islamic terrorist attack.
Witnesses say they heard two loud bangs in Belgium’s capital city on Friday evening after a man was reportedly shot and killed after attacking soldiers with a machete while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” the Evening Standard reported.
The suspect, reportedly a 30-year-old Somali man, attacked the soldiers near a location where ISIS called for vehicle attacks just several days ago.
Officials reported the attacker injured two soldiers before being killed. Belgian authorities now believe the attack was an act of terrorism.
Reports of the attack first started surfacing on Twitter with people in the near vicinity reporting that they heard what sounded like gun shots.
#shooting again in #Brussels. Man down. #Attack again? pic.twitter.com/JbihJCLzyw
— Silvano Pautasso (@SilvanoPautasso) August 25, 2017
Heard two bangs and loads of sirens in Brussels, anyone know what’s happening?
— Rev Dr Elliott (@Its_Nathan_Yo) August 25, 2017
Sound of gunshot, heavy police presence outside on Boulevard Emile Jacqmain, Brussels.
Anyone have info? pic.twitter.com/Y5TBMMDm3e— Ryan MacDonald (@MartianColonist) August 25, 2017
Video of the scene also appeared on Twitter which showed the area blocked off by authorities as they continue to investigate the attack.
L’homme a été neutralisé devant le bâtiment d’AG Insurance #Bruxelles #Jacqmain pic.twitter.com/M5SMhPNy5k
— BX1_Actu (@BX1_Actu) August 25, 2017
Belgian Police covering the scene after a machete attack ended by retaliating soldiers firing. #Brusselsattack #Brussels #Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/fZRZ6MfTcI
— Thomas da Silva Rosa (@tdasilvarosa) August 25, 2017