BRUSSELS — A shooting incident in Brussels on Friday resulted in the death of one individual, marking the fourth shooting incident within the last week that officials believe is connected to drug trafficking organizations. This incident has sparked a commitment from the government to enhance police visibility across the city.

The recent fatal shooting occurred in the neighborhoods of Anderlecht and St. Josse, with earlier shootings in the week leading to only one injury and not causing any fatalities. Authorities have indicated that these incidents seem to be linked to drug-related hostilities, as opposed to acts of terrorism.

Prosecutor General Frédéric Van Leeuw shared insights with the VRT network, stating that the likelihood of these shootings being interconnected is quite high. In response to the escalating violence, Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden emphasized the necessity for an increased police presence throughout Brussels.

Verlinden remarked, “Many people live and work here, and recent developments place a responsibility on us to ensure the safety of Brussels. Criminals exhibit remarkable adaptability; hence, if we lack police deployment in various areas, we’ll struggle to make any substantial impact as the issues will simply shift to another location.”

Historically, Brussels has experienced violence, but the occurrence of four shootings in a single week has raised significant concern among residents. Community groups have voiced their worries regarding the growing lawlessness in various neighborhoods at night and have called for a stronger police presence.

Furthermore, Belgium’s port city of Antwerp, located approximately 35 miles north, has become a prominent hub for cocaine imports in Europe, and has experienced grenade attacks tied to gang disputes. Security officials have warned that such violent conflicts are expected to spread to other cities within Belgium.