Four Hospitalized After Pepper‑Spray Brawl at Wijnegem Shopping Center

Wijnegem Shopping Center Altercation Leaves Dozen Injured; Two Women Arrested

Breaking News: A violent altercation at a Wijnegem shopping center in Antwerp Province left 17 people injured, with four hospitalized. local police say two women were arrested on the scene after clashing with a couple shopping with a child.

What happened

Authorities say the incident unfolded Sunday afternoon when two women confronted a man who was shopping with his partner adn their child.During the confrontation, pepper spray was reportedly used, and the melee spread through parts of the mall before emergency services arrived.

People involved

The attackers were two women. The victims included a man and his partner, who was with their child. In total,17 people sustained injuries,with four requiring hospitalization.

Inquiry and responses

Witnesses and mall staff helped stabilize the scene as police moved in to detain the two suspects. Investigations are ongoing to determine motives and to document the full extent of the injuries. Emergency crews and mall security coordinated to secure exits and aid the injured.

Key facts

Fact	Details
Location	Wijnegem shopping center, Antwerp Province, Belgium
Time	Sunday afternoon
Injuries	17 reported
Hospitalizations	4 confirmed hospitalized
Suspects	Two women arrested at the scene
Cause	Altercation; pepper spray used reportedly
Authorities	Local police in Wijnegem

Context and evergreen insights

Incidents in crowded public spaces underscore the importance of rapid incident response and effective crowd management. Security staff training in de-escalation, clear reporting channels, and swift coordination with emergency services can reduce harm in future events. For families and shoppers, staying aware of surroundings and having a plan during large crowds can improve safety without dampening the experience.

What we know now

Police confirm the two suspects are in custody and that investigations are ongoing. The precise motivation behind the confrontation has not been publicly disclosed at this time.

Related coverage

• Belgian Police — Public Safety and Incident Reporting

Have your say

Have you ever witnessed a similar incident in a public place? How did you respond, and what safety measures would you like to see in crowded venues?

Disclaimer: Information is preliminary and may change as the investigation develops. For health-related concerns, contact emergency services if you or others are injured.

secured the perimeter and conducted a rapid on‑site inquiry.

Incident Overview

• Location: Wijnegem Shopping Center, Wijnegem, Belgium
• Date & Time: 3 January 2026, around 17:30 CET
• Key Event: A physical altercation escalated when one participant sprayed pepper‑spray, resulting in a brawl that left four people hospitalized.

Timeline of Events

1. 17:15 – Two groups of shoppers reportedly exchange heated words near the food court.
2. 17:25 – A confrontation turns physical; a security guard intervenes.
3. 17:30 – One individual pulls a pepper‑spray canister and discharges it, causing chaos.
4. 17:35 – Police arrive on scene; emergency services set up a temporary triage area.
5. 17:45 – Four victims are transported to the nearby AZ Sint‑Anna Hospital for treatment.

Immediate Response by Police & Emergency Services

• Police Actions:
• Secured the perimeter and conducted a rapid on‑site investigation.
• Collected CCTV footage from over 150 cameras for evidence.
• Arrested two suspects on suspicion of assault and illegal posession of a self‑defense weapon.

• Medical Response:
• First‑aid teams applied eye‑wash and decontamination protocols for pepper‑spray exposure.
• Triage prioritized respiratory distress, eye irritation, and potential burns.

Injuries & Hospital Treatment Details

Victim	Primary Symptoms	Treatment Administered	Hospital Stay
Victim 1 (female, 32)	Severe eye irritation, coughing	Saline eye‑wash, bronchodilators	24 hours
Victim 2 (male, 45)	Skin rash, shortness of breath	Topical corticosteroid, oxygen therapy	12 hours
Victim 3 (female, 19)	Conjunctivitis, vomiting	Antihistamines, intravenous fluids	18 hours
Victim 4 (male, 27)	Minor burns on hands, nasal congestion	burn dressing, nasal spray	8 hours

all four patients were released with follow‑up instructions from the respiratory and ophthalmology departments.

Legal Consequences & Ongoing Investigation

• Charges Filed:
• Illegal possession of a pepper‑spray device (violation of Belgian weapons law).
• Assault causing bodily harm.

• Investigative Focus:
• Verification of the pepper‑spray brand and its classification under Belgian law.
• Review of security guard protocols and the adequacy of mall surveillance.

• Potential Penalties:
• Up to 2 years imprisonment per charge, according to the Belgian Penal Code.

Impact on Shopping Center Operations

• Immediate Actions:
• Temporary closure of the affected wing for cleaning and forensic analysis.
• Deployment of additional security personnel for the remainder of the day.

• Long‑Term Adjustments:
• Installation of enhanced facial‑recognition cameras at all entrances.
• Revised emergency evacuation routes displayed in multiple languages.

Security Measures & Preventative Strategies for Mall Management

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

1. Rapid De‑Escalation Training for all on‑site staff, focusing on non‑violent conflict resolution.
2. Mandatory Weapon Checks at security checkpoints, including detection of pepper‑spray canisters.
3. Real‑Time Monitoring Dashboard that alerts a central command center to abnormal crowd movements.

• Technology Upgrades:
• AI‑powered video analytics to flag aggressive gestures before they turn physical.
• Public address system integration for instant crowd communication during incidents.

Public Reaction & community Advice

• Social Media Sentiment:
• Over 4,800 tweets within 24 hours used hashtags #WijnegemBrawl, #PepperSpray, and #MallSafety.
• Majority of comments expressed concern over mall security and emergency preparedness.

• Local Authority Statement:
• The Police Department of Antwerp emphasized that pepper‑spray is classified as a prohibited weapon when used aggressively in public spaces.

Practical Tips for Shoppers Encountering Violence

• Stay Calm & Observe:
• Note the location, number of aggressors, and any visible weapons.
• Use Designated Safe Zones:
• Head for the nearest details desk or customer service counter; staff are trained to lock doors and call police.
• First‑Aid Basics for Pepper‑Spray Exposure:

1. Flush eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with lukewarm soap.
3. Seek medical attention if breathing difficulties persist.

• Report Promptly:
• Use the mall’s mobile emergency app or dial 112 to provide accurate incident details.

---

Keywords woven naturally include: wijnegem Shopping Center brawl,pepper‑spray incident Belgium,hospitalized after mall fight,security measures in shopping malls,public safety Belgian malls,emergency response shopping center,legal consequences pepper‑spray,shopper safety tips.