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Liege attack: Belgian police find body in killer's shed | Liege attack: Belgian police find body in killer's shed |
(40 minutes later) | |
Police in Belgium have found a woman's body in a shed belonging to a gunman who went on the rampage in the centre of Liege on Tuesday. | Police in Belgium have found a woman's body in a shed belonging to a gunman who went on the rampage in the centre of Liege on Tuesday. |
The body was found with a bullet wound to the head, say Belgian officials. | The body was found with a bullet wound to the head, say Belgian officials. |
Nordine Amrani launched his attack with guns and hand grenades in a busy marketplace in Liege, killing three people there and himself. | Nordine Amrani launched his attack with guns and hand grenades in a busy marketplace in Liege, killing three people there and himself. |
Police say a 75 year-old woman earlier identified as one of the dead is still alive in hospital. | Police say a 75 year-old woman earlier identified as one of the dead is still alive in hospital. |
About 125 people were wounded, five of whom are in intensive care, including the woman. | About 125 people were wounded, five of whom are in intensive care, including the woman. |
The body found at the killer's property was that of a cleaner, reported to be 45 years old, who worked for one of Amrani's neighbours. | The body found at the killer's property was that of a cleaner, reported to be 45 years old, who worked for one of Amrani's neighbours. |
Also found in the shed were two weapons and a stockpile of ammunition, public prosecutor Daniele Reynders told a news conference. | |
No message has been found from the attacker, she said. | No message has been found from the attacker, she said. |
Officials say the shed was used by Amrani to grow cannabis. | Officials say the shed was used by Amrani to grow cannabis. |
Liege is to hold a minute's silence and a vigil at midday on Wednesday, 24 hours on from the shooting. | |
Warnings missed? | Warnings missed? |
The authorities are trying to determine what motivated Nordine Amrani, a Belgian citizen, to go on his killing spree in the central Place Saint-Lambert. | |
Officials have ruled out organised political terrorism but have yet to determine why he opened fire. | Officials have ruled out organised political terrorism but have yet to determine why he opened fire. |
The BBC's Matthew Price, in Belgium, says they will now need to examine whether there was anything to indicate in advance that Amrani might have posed a danger to the public. | |
Police have said he was known to them for previous drugs and firearms offences and acted alone in the attack. | |
Amrani, a resident of Liege, had spent three years in jail for firearms and drugs offences, Ms Reynders said. | |
He was released on parole in October 2010. | |
There were no medical reports suggesting any mental health problems, she said. | There were no medical reports suggesting any mental health problems, she said. |
Amrani had been asked to attend a police station on Tuesday for an interview in connection with charges against him. | |
Instead, he took an assault rifle, revolver and hand grenades into the busy town centre square, close to the courthouse. | Instead, he took an assault rifle, revolver and hand grenades into the busy town centre square, close to the courthouse. |
At about midday, he threw three grenades at people waiting for buses then opened fire, sending hundreds of people fleeing in panic. | At about midday, he threw three grenades at people waiting for buses then opened fire, sending hundreds of people fleeing in panic. |
"He wanted to hurt as many people as possible," journalist Nicolas Gilenne told AFP. "I heard four explosions and shots during about 10 seconds." | "He wanted to hurt as many people as possible," journalist Nicolas Gilenne told AFP. "I heard four explosions and shots during about 10 seconds." |
A 15-year-old boy died instantly, while a 17-year-old boy and a 17-month-old girl died later in hospital. | A 15-year-old boy died instantly, while a 17-year-old boy and a 17-month-old girl died later in hospital. |
One official told AFP that a Christmas market was meant to be taking place in the square that day but its opening had been postponed because of bad weather. | One official told AFP that a Christmas market was meant to be taking place in the square that day but its opening had been postponed because of bad weather. |
"Otherwise many more would have died," said the official. | "Otherwise many more would have died," said the official. |
Ms Reynders said Amrani had committed suicide at the scene by shooting himself in the head. | |
Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who has only been in office since last week, said there were "no words to describe this tragedy". | Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who has only been in office since last week, said there were "no words to describe this tragedy". |
"The whole country shares the pain of the families affected. We share the shock of the population," he said as he visited the square on Tuesday. | |
Belgium's King Albert and Queen Paola II also visited Place Saint-Lambert to pay their respects. | |
Liege's mayor Willy Demeyer, said the attack had "sown sorrow in the heart of the city". | Liege's mayor Willy Demeyer, said the attack had "sown sorrow in the heart of the city". |
Are you in Liege? Did you witness anything? Have you been affected by the attack? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you in Liege? Did you witness anything? Have you been affected by the attack? Send us your comments and experiences. |