Man shot in Diksmuide station area, six suspects arrested
A man is in life-threatening condition after a shooting in the station area of Diksmuide early in the morning. Six suspects from Kortemark and Koekelare have been detained.
Shooting in Diksmuide: victim in life-threatening condition, drugs environment investigated
A man was shot on Friday morning around 5 a.m. in the station area of Diksmuide, according to VRT NWS. The victim, who lived in the old station building, was struck in the abdomen and is in life-threatening condition. He is to undergo surgery during the day.
Six suspects have been arrested. They are from the neighbouring municipalities of Kortemark and Koekelare and will be questioned during the day. The public prosecutor appointed a forensic pathologist and a weapons expert; a laboratory team is also at the scene. CCTV footage from the station area is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
The public prosecutor is investigating a possible link to the drugs environment. In the past, Diksmuide struggled with flakka, a powerful synthetic drug, although that problem had largely subsided over the past year. "The motive is still unclear," says mayor Koen Coupillie (Actie!). "We hope that everything goes well with the victim."
The shooting coincides with the 50th edition of the Butter and Cheese Festival, the biggest event of the year in Diksmuide, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors. According to the mayor, traffic flow is to be released as quickly as possible.
Source: VRT NWS