Tunisian ISIS extremist who killed 2 Swedish soccer fans in Belgium arrived in Europe in 2011

Suspect arrived in Europe in 2011, and in 2016 was flagged as being at risk of Islamic radicalization

Hamas is just like ISIS, and they're using Palestinians as cannon fodder: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Hoover Institute research fellow Ayaan Hirsi Ali joins 'FOX & Friends' to explain how Hamas is using Palestinian citizens as 'pawns' in their effort to destroy Israel.

A suspected Tunisian extremist accused of shooting and killing two Swedish soccer fans in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, has been in Europe since 2011, according to Italian government and security sources.

On Tuesday morning, police in Belgium shot and killed the suspect, a 45-year-old man who posted a video on social media claiming to be the assailant and member of the Islamic State. 

The two victims left a private party early, where they were watching the Belgium-Sweden soccer match.

BELGIUM POLICE KILLED TERROR SUSPECT ACCUSED IN DEATH OF 2 SOCCER FANS AFTER HOURSLONG MANHUNT IN BRUSSELS

tunisian isis extremist who killed 2 swedish soccer fans in belgium arrived in europe in 2011

A supporter is comforted on the stands after suspension of the Euro 2024 group F qualifying soccer match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Monday. The match ended at halftime, after two Swedes were killed in a shooting in central Brussels before kickoff.  (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

The suspect allegedly pursued the two soccer fans along a Brussels street, shot them, and fled the scene, prompting an hourslong manhunt, authorities said.

Police ultimately found the man in the Schaerbeek neighborhood, where the shooting took place, according to federal prosecutors.

The assailant was a Tunisian man living illegally in Belgium who used a military weapon to kill the two Swedes and shoot a third victim, who is being treated for "severe injuries," Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said at a news conference on Monday night.

2 SWEDES SHOT DEAD IN BELGIAN CAPITAL, AUTHORITIES SAY

tunisian isis extremist who killed 2 swedish soccer fans in belgium arrived in europe in 2011

Police and inspectors work in an area where a shooting took place in the center of Brussels, Monday. Belgian police say that two people are dead in central Brussels after several shots were fired.  (AP Photo/Nicolas Landemard)

One of the Italian sources who told Reuters the man had been living in Europe since 2011 confirmed he spent time in Italy before moving to Sweden.

While in Sweden, the source said, he was expelled under the European Union’s "Dublin" rules, then returned to Italy.

ISRAEL FENDS OFF AGGRESSION AT LEBANON BORDER AS IT PREPARES TO INVADE GAZA

tunisian isis extremist who killed 2 swedish soccer fans in belgium arrived in europe in 2011

Police cordon off an area where a shooting took place in the center of Brussels, Monday. (AP Photo/Nicolas Landemard)

In 2016, law enforcement officials in Bologna, Italy marked the man as being at risk of Islamic radicalization, which meant he would be observed by intelligence agencies, despite not having a significant criminal record. Italian authorities then lost track of the suspect. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

That year, Brussels, Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne said, Belgian authorities received an unconfirmed report from a foreign police agency saying the suspect had a "radicalized profile," and was ready to wage jihad in a warzone.

Fox News Digital's Lawrence Richard and Louis Casiano, as well as Reuters, contributed to this report.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Authored by Greg Wehner via FoxNews October 17th 2023