Shocked Belgians left to wonder why

Dubai: Why? Why did Nordine Amrani launch a bloody grenade attack on Christmas shoppers in the sleepy Belgian city of Liege? And after more than 20 breaches of the law, why didn't Belgian officials take steps to prevent him from turning into a cold-blooded, calculating killer?

"He left no message to explain his act," Liege city prosecutor Daniele Reynders said yesterday. The 33-year-old Belgian of Moroccan descent killed three shoppers and wounded scores on Tuesday afternoon before killing himself.

Police also discovered the body of a woman at Amrani's home whom he apparently murdered before going on the rampage. He reportedly invited the 45-year-old victim, who worked as a cleaner for his neighbour, into his home on the pretext of offering her work.

Amrani was on parole after serving the majority of a 42-month sentence for possessing a small arsenal of weapons and 2,800 cannabis plants.

Lifelong delinquent

"He was a delinquent who was in trouble throughout his life, up before children's courts, petty courts, appeals courts," said Cedric Visart de Bocarme, a prosecutor.

Police found nine magazines in Amrani's bag along with his automatic rifle, handgun and several grenades, Reynders said.

"He liked arms and had a record but he was a very poised, very calm man," said one of his former lawyers, Abdul Hadi Amrani. "I would never have expected him to be behind the drama in Liege. He must have snapped."

But why? That answer vanished the instant Amrani fired a bullet into his brain, the last act of his deadly spree.