We know more regarding the profile of the hitchhiker suspected of having shot a couple in Anthisnes. The individual opened fire on this couple who had stopped by car, at his height, Sunday evening. The driver was seriously injured. The suspect was heard yesterday at the end of the day, his motives are not known. But we have new elements.
At 22, this young man from Flemish Brabant suffers from autism. It is difficult to establish a relationship with him. For example, he has difficulty keeping a job.
This is what his father confides, with whom he lives, in the columns of Het Nieuwsblad.
His son has been bullied all his life, but seemed to be doing better until this weekend, he says.
Saturday evening, the whole family was gathered to celebrate the uncle’s birthday, the evening was well watered. The young man left with his mother’s car. Her parents noticed her missing the next morning, and found a farewell letter. They then notified the police.
Their son will finally be found 150 kilometers from his home on Sunday evening. The father does not understand what might have happened but assures “he is not a monster”.
“He fired three shots inside the cabin”
Many of you have pressed the orange Alert us button to let us know that a dangerous man had been reported late Sunday evening in Anthisnes, in the province of Liège. “Shots were fired at the Tultay”wrote us a witness. “The Grand Route is closed to traffic by the police and they ask motorists not to pick up hitchhikers, and residents not to open their doors to a stranger”explained to us another witness.
According to information confirmed by the Condroz police, a young couple from Seraing, whose wife is pregnant, and their young child, were traveling towards Liège on the RN 638 Sunday evening around 10:50 p.m. They wanted to pick up a hitchhiker. “They stopped and asked the person concerned what he wanted. The latter wanted to go to Liège, and they did not even have time to react when the person concerned took out a weapon and fired three shots inside the cabin”explained to us Catherine Collignon, first deputy prosecutor of the King of Liège.
The motorist, injured, still manages to get back behind the wheel to flee the attacker. After a few hundred meters the driver lost control and ran off the road.
The driver is seriously injured
The police quickly arrived on the scene and established a security perimeter. Local police and federal police worked together to locate the suspect. The support of a helicopter and a dog handler was required. Around 3 a.m., the man was arrested. The 22-year-old man has no criminal record. He was arrested while in possession of a weapon corresponding to the one used.
Hit in the jaw and chest, the driver was seriously injured. The mother of the family was shot in the arm. She is out of danger, but in shock. The two-year-old baby who was in the back of the vehicle is fortunately unharmed.
