Three Belgian nationals, all born in 2007 and barely adults, have been placed under formal investigation for "association of wrongdoers" in connection with the preparation of one or more crimes, including "organized group homicide," according to a statement released on Friday, September 4, by the prosecutor of Lille, Samuel Finielz. The individuals were arrested in late August in Tourcoing, a city in northern France, following an incident in which shots were fired at a residential building’s facade during the night of August 30 to 31. Although no one was injured, the event raised concerns due to the use of a large-caliber weapon. During the arrest, authorities discovered a "machine gun, a war-type weapon of the AK-47 type, which was loaded," in the suspects' vehicle, according to the Lille prosecutor. The individuals, who reside in Brussels, are accused of participating in an organized group that planned one or more crimes, including the potential for organized group homicide, both in Tourcoing and across Belgium. The charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged planning and coordination involved. One of the three suspects was charged with "complicity in the offense of attempted murder in an organized group" and for carrying and transporting a category A weapon—classified as a high-risk firearm—outside of one's home. This individual was placed in provisional detention, while the other two were placed under judicial supervision. The case underscores the growing concern over youth involvement in serious criminal activities, particularly those involving weapons and organized planning. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are likely to seek more information about the alleged group's activities and any potential links to other criminal acts. The incident in Tourcoing has sparked discussions about youth crime, weapon proliferation, and the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing organized criminal networks.