Man kills judge, clerk at Brussels courthouse

[June 03, 2010]  BRUSSELS (AP) -- A gunman entered a Brussels courtroom Thursday and killed a justice of the peace and a court clerk, then left the courthouse on foot, officials said.

Justice Minister Stefaan De Clerck said the female judge and the clerk were gunned down during a court session. The gunman remains at large and police launched a manhunt.

The shooting occurred at 11:15 a.m. (0915 GMT, 5:15 a.m. EDT) and showed the need for much stricter security in Belgian courthouses, De Clerck said.

Officials did not immediately provide details about the gunman's identity or a possible motive.

The courthouse where the shooting took place is close to the main courthouse in the center of Brussels.

[Associated Press; By ROBERT WIELAARD]

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