Police in Brussels are racing against time to track down a man suspected of fatally injuring an 85-year-old pensioner during a heated clash at a Lidl supermarket in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean.
The tragic encounter unfolded on the afternoon of March 8, when Gilbert — a retired civil servant and longtime Brussels resident — was attacked after stepping briefly away from his spot in the checkout line to grab an extra item. According to witnesses, when Gilbert returned, a younger man had slipped into his place.
“A young guy pushed aside the elderly man’s cart,” a supermarket worker recounted to local media. “When Gilbert tried to reclaim his spot, words were exchanged — and it got ugly fast.”
Within moments, the verbal spat escalated. The younger man reportedly shoved Gilbert hard enough to knock him unconscious, causing severe head injuries. Paramedics rushed Gilbert to the hospital, but despite their efforts, he died from his wounds.
Police quickly released a description of the suspect: a slim-built man aged between 25 and 30, sporting a beard, glasses, a light-colored tracksuit, black sneakers, and a beige-patterned cap. Hoping for leads, the Brussels prosecutor’s office issued a public appeal, urging anyone with information to step forward.
As of Monday, authorities confirmed they’d received six tips from the public, although it’s still unclear if any will crack the case. “We’re hopeful the right clue is among them,” a police spokesperson told reporters.
Gilbert, described by neighbors as a spirited man who still cycled around the city, was also the primary caregiver for his wife, who struggles with mobility. “Gilbert was reserved but tough,” a neighbor told Nieuwsblad. “He wasn’t the type to be pushed around — the fact that he stood his ground says a lot. His wife will be completely lost without him.”
The suspect remains at large, and the community is left reeling as authorities intensify the search for justice.
