2023-10-30 07:27:00
The individual who shot a lawyer this Saturday followingnoon is still actively sought. The shooting took place around 1:20 p.m. near the office of lawyer Claudia Van Der Stichelen, who specializes in divorce cases. Seriously injured, the 58-year-old lawyer died shortly following help arrived, according to our colleagues at Het Laatste Nieuws. His 22-year-old son reportedly received three bullets in the shoulder and was operated on at the hospital.
The East Flanders public prosecutor’s office visited the site, but might not provide more information on the precise conditions of the incident. “The investigation continues,” said the prosecution. “The perpetrator has not yet been identified. A weapon was found at the scene of the shooting,” also indicated magistrate Caroline Verschuere. “The weapon remained there. So we assume he is unarmed. We’re not sure, though, because he was carrying a backpack. We do not yet know who it is,” said mayor Tim De Knyf to Belga. The laboratory, a forensic doctor and a weapons expert went to the scene.
Searches with a helicopter proved unsuccessful.
The area was immediately cordoned off by police. After the shooting, witnesses reportedly saw a man dressed in gray overalls and a backpack fleeing towards the forest near the office. The police, accompanied by a hunting dog, immediately began searching for him. According to HLN, the suspect would be the ex of a client that the lawyer represented. He is believed to still be on the run at the time of writing. Searches with a helicopter proved unsuccessful.
Claudia Van Der Stichelen is known, among other things, as the surrogate mother’s lawyer in the high-profile baby D case more than ten years ago. The baby, who was initially promised to a couple from Antwerp, was ultimately “sold” to a Dutch couple, according to information reported by HLN. The surrogate mother was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 1,650 euros.
“Threats once morest lawyers must be taken seriously.”
The association of Flemish lawyers, Advocaat.be, reacted to the news with “fright”. In a statement, the organization expressed its condolences to the deceased’s husband and all his relatives. “If the investigation shows that Maître Van Der Stichelen was shot because she is a lawyer, it is particularly serious,” she adds. “This shows that the legal profession has become dangerous and that lawyers are vulnerable targets.” The vulnerability of lawyers must be recognized, believes the association. “Threats once morest lawyers must be taken seriously.”
Lawyer coldly shot dead near her office, suspect still on the run
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