Advertisement

Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

  • <p>Police and forensic officers remove items during a house search in the Molenbeek district of Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Francois Walschaerts/AP) </p>
    1/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Police and forensic officers remove items during a house search in the Molenbeek district of Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Francois Walschaerts/AP)

  • <p>Police investigators and members of the DOVO (bomb clearing squad) work inside Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (Vanden Wijngaert/AP) </p>
    2/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Police investigators and members of the DOVO (bomb clearing squad) work inside Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

  • <p>A woman checks her cellphone as she stands by a damaged signboard inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Virginia Mayo/AP) </p>
    3/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    A woman checks her cellphone as she stands by a damaged signboard inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Virginia Mayo/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Police and forensic officers work during a house search in the Molenbeek district of Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Francois Walschaerts/AP) </p>
    4/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Police and forensic officers work during a house search in the Molenbeek district of Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Francois Walschaerts/AP)

  • <p>Police patrol outside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of extremist attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Virginia Mayo/AP) </p>
    5/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Police patrol outside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of extremist attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Virginia Mayo/AP)

  • <p>Belgian Army soldiers patrol inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Virginia Mayo/AP) </p>
    6/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Belgian Army soldiers patrol inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Virginia Mayo/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Police patrol the street near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (Wijngaert/AP) </p>
    7/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Police patrol the street near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (Wijngaert/AP)

  • <p>A cordon surrounds the area, with burn marks seen on the floor, where a device exploded inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Virginia Mayo/AP) </p>
    8/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    A cordon surrounds the area, with burn marks seen on the floor, where a device exploded inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Virginia Mayo/AP)

  • <p>Belgian Army soldiers patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    9/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station blast

    Belgian Army soldiers patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Belgian police evacuate people near the Grand Place near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    10/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Belgian police evacuate people near the Grand Place near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • <p>A Belgian Army soldier stands outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    11/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    A Belgian Army soldier stands outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • <p>Belgian Army soldiers and police patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    12/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Belgian Army soldiers and police patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>A Belgian Army soldier stands outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    13/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    A Belgian Army soldier stands outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • <p>In this image taken from video, police cars block a road near the train station in central Brussels, Tuesday June 20, 2017. Belgian media report that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station; the main square evacuated. (AP Photo) </p>
    14/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station blast

    In this image taken from video, police cars block a road near the train station in central Brussels, Tuesday June 20, 2017. Belgian media report that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station; the main square evacuated. (AP Photo)

  • <p>Belgian Army soldiers patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    15/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Belgian Army soldiers patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>A police officer walks outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    16/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    A police officer walks outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • <p>Belgian Army soldiers and police patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    17/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Belgian Army soldiers and police patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • <p>Belgian Army soldiers approaches a man outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    18/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Belgian Army soldiers approaches a man outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Belgian police stand in front of a police cordon as people are evacuated at the Grand Place square near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
    19/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station explosion

    Belgian police stand in front of a police cordon as people are evacuated at the Grand Place square near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

  • <p>In this image taken from video, police cars create a cordon near the train station in central Brussels, Tuesday June 20, 2017. Belgian media report that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station; the main square evacuated. (AP Photo) </p>
    20/20

    Troops shoot man after Brussels station blast

    In this image taken from video, police cars create a cordon near the train station in central Brussels, Tuesday June 20, 2017. Belgian media report that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station; the main square evacuated. (AP Photo)

<p>Police and forensic officers remove items during a house search in the Molenbeek district of Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Francois Walschaerts/AP) </p>
<p>Police investigators and members of the DOVO (bomb clearing squad) work inside Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (Vanden Wijngaert/AP) </p>
<p>A woman checks her cellphone as she stands by a damaged signboard inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Virginia Mayo/AP) </p>
<p>Police and forensic officers work during a house search in the Molenbeek district of Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Francois Walschaerts/AP) </p>
<p>Police patrol outside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Belgian authorities said they foiled a “terror attack” when soldiers shot a suspect in the heart of Brussels after a small explosion at a busy train station Tuesday on a night that continued a week of extremist attacks in the capitals of Europe. (Virginia Mayo/AP) </p>
<p>Belgian Army soldiers patrol inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Virginia Mayo/AP) </p>
<p>Police patrol the street near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (Wijngaert/AP) </p>
<p>A cordon surrounds the area, with burn marks seen on the floor, where a device exploded inside Central Station in Brussels on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (Virginia Mayo/AP) </p>
<p>Belgian Army soldiers patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>Belgian police evacuate people near the Grand Place near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>A Belgian Army soldier stands outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>Belgian Army soldiers and police patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>A Belgian Army soldier stands outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>In this image taken from video, police cars block a road near the train station in central Brussels, Tuesday June 20, 2017. Belgian media report that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station; the main square evacuated. (AP Photo) </p>
<p>Belgian Army soldiers patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>A police officer walks outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>Belgian Army soldiers and police patrol outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>Belgian Army soldiers approaches a man outside Central Station after a reported explosion in Brussels on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>Belgian police stand in front of a police cordon as people are evacuated at the Grand Place square near Central Station in Brussels after a reported explosion on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Belgian media are reporting that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station, prompting the evacuation of a main square. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) </p>
<p>In this image taken from video, police cars create a cordon near the train station in central Brussels, Tuesday June 20, 2017. Belgian media report that explosion-like noises have been heard at a Brussels train station; the main square evacuated. (AP Photo) </p>
Yahoo News Photo Staff

The man who was shot dead at a Brussels train station Tuesday after attempting to explode a suitcase of nails and gas canisters was unknown to authorities as a terror suspect, a Belgian prosecutor said today.

The would-be attacker — identified by the initials “O.Z.” — was a 36-year-old of Moroccan origin, Brussels federal prosecutor Eric Van der Sypt said at a news conference this morning. He said the man was not known to authorities to be involved in any terror activities, but the prosecutor did not comment on whether he had a criminal record.

Van der Sypt said the man’s home in the Molenbeek district of Brussels had been searched after the attack.

The man entered Brussels Central Station at 8:39 p.m. local time holding a suitcase and headed toward a group of people, Van der Sypt said. Five minutes later, his suitcase caught fire after a small explosion ignited in which no one was injured.

The attacker then ran down a flight of stairs toward a station employee and a soldier, Van der Sypt said. His suitcase exploded again.

As the attacker screamed “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is great,” in Arabic, a soldier shot the suspect several times, killing him. (GMA)

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Twitter and Tumblr.