BELGIUM: Creche attack suspect's neighbours in shock

Record ID: 352738

  • Title: BELGIUM: Creche attack suspect's neighbours in shock
  • Date: 25th January 2009
  • Summary: BELSELE, BELGIUM (JANUARY 24, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF SUSPECT'S HOME SUSPECT'S HOME/ LOCAL RESIDENTS TWO RESIDENTS TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) STUDENT RESIDENT BAART HENDRIK SAYING: "He's not really from here, he has been living here only for two months and I don't think there is anyone in the neighbourhood who really knows him. Obviously it's incredible
  • Embargoed: 9th February 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • Country: Belgium
  • Reuters ID: LVA1S337D8A4F9VCI9L1PU6AP394
  • Story Text: A quiet Belgian village is horrified by the news that a resident has been charged with killing two babies and a woman in a knife attack on a creche.
    The news that a 20-year-old unemployed Belgian man from the village of Belsele has been charged with the murder of two babies and a woman in a knife attack on a creche left residents horrified on Saturday (January 24).
    The attack - which also left 13 people wounded - stunned Belgium.
    Police identified the accused only only as "Kim D" and said he was from a small community some 30 km (20 miles) from the scene of Friday's attack in the town of Dendermonde.
    The man had no previous criminal record and prosecutors said he was carrying a knife, a small axe, a fake pistol and was wearing body armour.
    Two more knives were found at the scene.
    In Belsele, student Baart Hendrik said: "He's not really from here, he has been living here only for two months and I don't think there is anyone in the neighbourhood who really knows him.

    "Obviously it's incredible that it happened here. Usually it's a very quiet village. There is never anything happening here. And now, this.
    Everyone is deeply affected and you can see this from their reaction: everyone is coming out to look at what happened. It's terrible."
    Local media dubbed the assailant the "Joker" killer because his face was painted white and his eyes blackened, like the criminal mastermind in the Batman films.
    He arrived at the Fabeltjesland -- Fairytale Land -- creche in Dendermonde, 30 km (20 miles) west of Brussels mid-morning on Friday saying he wanted to ask a question.
    But he then ran into the creche's rooms and launched his attacks, slashing at victims with a knife, before cycling off.
    Belsele pensioner Lucien Michiels said: "I've never seen him, I don't know him and it's maybe better that I have never known this thug. It's incredible that people like that should exist. There must be something in his head that doesn't work well. Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register